Hanging remains to be one of the common methods of committing suicide while strangulation is predominantly homicidal. Hence all cases of hanging are considered suicidal until the contrary is proved. Meticulous dissection and sharp distinction between hanging and strangulation is warranted during autopsy. Histopathology of various neck tissues can help to sort out this matter
The present study was done on medico-legal autopsies conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar from 1.3.2001 to 31.1.2003 to study the histopathological changes in neck structures in deaths due to hanging and strangulation. Tissue biopsy from the lymph nodes of the neck above and below the ligature mark was taken and histopathological examination was carried out. Congestion alone of upper and lower lymph nodes was seen more in cases of hanging (8%) as compared to strangulation (none), but congestion associated with infiltration was seen more in cases of strangulation (22.2%) than hanging (12%). No congestion or infiltration in either the upper and lower lymph nodes was observed in 5 (20%) cases of hanging and 4 (22.2%) cases of strangulation.
Hanging, Strangulation, Histopathology, Congestion, Infiltration
