Ten Year Multifactorial Analysis of Suicidal Hanging Deaths

The present study was conducted with the objective to gain, more knowledge and awareness in to epidemiological trends and pathological aspects of suicidal hanging deaths in western part of Maharashtra. The study included retrospective analysis of suicidal hanging deaths from Jan 2001 to Dec. 2010. Total number of hanging deaths were 343 out of 4828 autopsies. Incidence of hanging was 7.41 per 1 lakh population, male female ratio being 3.7: 1. 31–40 year age group was mostly affected (30.90%). 244 (90.37%) male and 49 (67.13%) female were married, 297(86.59%) cases were of complete hanging, apparel were used as ligature material in maximum number of cases, ligature mark was obliquely placed, above the level of thyroid cartilage in maximum number of cases. Act was completed at home in 242 (70.55%) cases, predisposing factor being family quarrel in 21.29% of cases. Hemorrhage in neck muscles found in 16 (4.66%), fracture hyoid bone in 7 (2.04%) and fracture of thyroid cartilage in 23 (6.7%) of cases.