Histopathological Study of Carotid Trauma In Strangulation Deaths

In this modern era, even with advancement of technology, development of sophisticated weapons, deaths due to compression of neck by the application of ligature is still in vogue. Very often Forensic expert faces the challenge to differentiate between the cause of death due to the application of ligature material around neck or other forces such as manual compression. So it becomes very much essential to examine the structures of the neck both grossly and microscopically. The present study was conducted at Osmania General Hospital Mortuary from Nov 2008 to October 2010. Neck structures were dissected; carotid arteries were collected from both sides preserved in 10%formalin and was subjected to histopathological examination. Even though many cases were reported, selective identification of cases was done by the presence of in situ ligature material, presence of photographs at the crime scene and a total of 51 cases were studied. Majority of cases belonged to 3^rd decade, with male preponderance. Hanging was more common compared to ligature and manual strangulation. Cloth was the preferred ligature material with the application of slip knot. Per vascular haemorraghes was most common finding followed by intimal haemorraghes. Bilateral effection was more common.