Medicolegal study of hanging cases in north Goa

The present study, comprised of 101 hanging cases during the period from November 2008 to October 2009. The Medico Legal Autopsies were conducted at the mortuary of Forensic Medicine Department of Goa Medical College, Bambolim. Goa. The incidence of hanging was predominant in males, with highest deaths in 3^rd decade and lowest in the extremes of age. Deaths due to hanging were common amongst illiterates and un-employed. The major precipitating factor was prolonged illness and drug addiction. The place of incident was mostly indoors. The manner of death was mostly suicidal.