Structural damage in the neck in cases of death due to ligature strangulation

Death from hanging and ligature strangulation are commonly encountered in medico legal autopsy, distinction between these two forms of mechanical asphyxia is of utmost important in furnishing opinion as to the manner of death. Prevalence of hanging and ligature strangulation cases by their ratio and structural damage in neck structures among these cases were studied in this research work done at mortuary attached to Victoria Hospital BMC Bangalore for the period of two years. Autopsy findings are noted and conclusions were drawn. Only 23 [3.41%] cases of ligature strangulation against 673 cases of hanging, indicating hanging is more common than ligature strangulation. Male to female ratio of hanging cases is 75 and that of strangulation cases is approximately 7:5. Structural damage in neck structures in cases of ligature strangulation is invariably present in all the cases unlike hanging cases. Unusual contusion of soft tissues in the neck in case of death due hanging should be ruled out beyond reasonable doubt. Extensive structural damage in the neck structures in case of death due to Ligature strangulation is the rule.