Citation

Nayak GH, Biradar SS, Ravindra Kumar CN, Madhu Sudhan S, Karlawad M, Selvan M. Journal of South India Medicolegal Association 2016; 8(2): 90-93.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hanging is a frequently used method of suicide in many countries and it is a particularly lethal method of suicide. Material and Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, descriptive study that included all cases of death due to hanging during the period of January 2008 to December 2009, for which a postmortem was performed in the mortuary premises of the department.

RESULTS: The pattern of hanging revealed from this study showed a male predominance. The maximum numbers of cases were in the 21-30 years group. Overall the most common ligature material used for hanging was saree and nylon rope. In males it was the nylon rope, whereas in females it was the saree, as the most commonly used ligature material. The most common position of the knot was to the right or left side of the neck and 2 cases succumbed to death due to delayed consequences of hanging. Fracture of the hyoid/ thyroid cartilage occurred in just two of the 92 cases of hanging.

CONCLUSION: The pattern revealed from this study showed a male predominance. The age group commonly opting for hanging as a suicide modality was in the 21-30 years group. Ligature material use was dependent on its ready availability and fracture of hyoid/thyroid was rare. © 2016 South India Medico-Legal Association. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Hanging; Post-mortem; Ligature