Revista de biomecánica forense

Abstracto

Descriptive Analysis of Ligature Composition in Correlation with Patho-Anatomic Findings in Neck Region Due to Hanging Fatalities

Shibanand Nepal Karmakar, Nilesh Keshav Tumram, Pradeep Gangadhar Dixit

Background: Hanging is the commonest form of violent asphyxial death cases coming for medico legal autopsy. Ligature material is one of the most important factors determining the causation of external and internal injuries to neck in hanging. The material make and the surface characteristic of the ligature material are determinant characteristics of a ligature material. Study of both external and internal injuries over neck, are important in cases of hanging.

Methods: A total of 95 cases of suicidal hanging cases were included in study. Cases without insitu ligature material around neck, cases with inadequate history, doubtful findings and bodies which were brought in decomposed state were excluded. The cases where ligature material was present in situ around neck were included in the study. Also where the history and crime scene was known by the investigating agency and body was found in hanging condition without disturbances of scene of crime were included in study.

Results: Nylon rope was the most commonly used ligature material (52.6%). Hard and rough group of ligature material was the commonest group of ligature material and was also the commonest group for the causation of various external injuries and internal injuries.

Conclusion: It was concluded that there is increased prevalence of external and internal injuries in hard make ligature materials and rough surface ligature materials. Detailed analysis of ligature materials and their types can help in correlating the various anatomical and pathological findings associated in fatalities due to hanging.