Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Introduction: The ligature mark is vital piece of evidence in asphyxial deaths. There has been extensive study about external appearance of asphyxial deaths due to hanging and ligature strangulation but in this study we try to point out the various morphological features of ligature mark during external and internal examination of the neck during post- mortem examination. In this study an attempt has been made to establish the most reliable morphological features for differentiating the pattern of ligature mark in cases of asphyxial deaths in Hanging and Strangulation..

Methodology: This observational study was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital of western Rajasthan over a period of one and half year. Total 52 cases of hanging and strangulation were taken for study. Details about morphological findings of ligature mark were noted.

Results: Common morphological findings of ligature mark in hanging were single (92%), discontinuity of ligature mark (98%), incomplete encirclement (98%), oblique mark (100%), Parchmentisation (56%), Reddish-brown colour (22%), pale (22%) while in ligature strangulation these were single (0%), multiple (100%), discontinuity of ligature mark (0%), complete encirclement (100%), transverse (100%), Parchmentisation (50%), Reddish-brown colour (50%), extravasation of blood (100%).

Conclusions: The present study concluded that a detailed evaluation of the gross findings of the ligature mark, if undertaken would be more conclusive in establishing the cause and manner of death to aid in the administration of justice.