1department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh.
2department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi.
3department of Forensic Medicine, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.
*Correspondence and reprints: Dr. D. Singh, Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh.
A 2-yrs study was carried out on deaths allegedly due to hanging and strangulation at Govt. Medical College, Amritsar. Out of total 43 cases, on autopsy, 25(58.1%) were due to hanging and 18(41.9%) were due to strangulation. Majority of victims of both hanging (48%) and strangulation (38.7%) were in 21–30 yrs age group having urban preponderance (83.3%).
Approximately 2/3rd of hanging victims were males as compared to females. Majority of victims comprised of urban population (56%) however rural males were ones predominantly involved (40%). Married victims were double the numbers in comparison to unmarried victims; in known cases (84%). In 76% hanging cases no associated trauma was present other than the ligature mark. Rope was used as ligature material in the majority (44.1%) and the ligature was placed above the level of thyroid cartilage in 88% of cases.
Amongst the strangulation deaths both sexes were equally involved with urban cases double the number of rural ones. Urban females were commonest strangulation victims (38.9%). The offence was 6.5 times more prevalent in married individuals compared to unmarried ones; in known cases (83.4%). No case of unmarried female as victim of strangulation was reported in the present study. Associated trauma was present in 94.5% cases of strangulation; out of which in 44.4% cases, head and neck region was predominantly involved. Ligature was unavailable at the scene of crime in 38.8% cases; and the ligature mark was at the level of thyroid cartilage in 64.7% cases. It is concluded that in the North-west region of Punjab, hanging to commit suicide is more prevalent in rural males while married females were the more likely victims of strangulation; amongst the asphyxial deaths. The absence of ligature material with the body of the deceased along with associated trauma, an indicator of relative movement between the victim and the assailant, was a pointer towards death due to strangulation.
Hanging, Strangulation, Associated trauma
