A comparative study of hanging and strangulation cases in agra region

Introduction: In our country, we frequently come across many cases of deaths due to hanging and strangulation which may be suicidal or homicidal.

Material and Method: In this study 272 deaths caused by hanging and strangulation were analyzed out of 3224 autopsies conducted in mortuary of S. N. Medical College, Agra from March 2015 to August 2016 for the period of one and half years. Obtained data is analyzed and reviewed with respect to cause, manner, ligature material used and comparative postmortem findings of hanging and ligature strangulation.

Results: Out of272 cases 93.4 % (254 cases) deaths were due to hanging while 6.6 % (18 cases) were due to strangulation. In most cases (193 cases of hanging and 5 cases of strangulation) soft ligature material was used while hard ligature material was used in rest of the cases (61 cases of hanging and 13 cases of strangulation). Most hanging cases (98 %) were suicidal while all strangulation cases were homicidal. Postmortem findings are divided into external and internal and studied comparatively for hanging and strangulation.

Conclusion: In this study, suicidal hanging and homicidal strangulation seems to be major manner of deaths. Both these indicate frustration and rage respectively on part of population resulting in increased violence in society which needs to be addressed. On basis of postmortem findings hanging and strangulation can be differentiated in majority of cases.