1PG JR 3 years, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh
2Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh
3Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh
*Corresponding Author : Dr. Amandeep Singh, Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College & Hospital, ChandigarhKarnataka - 570015 Contact : +91 96461-21610, Email: dramandeep@gmail.com
The objective of this study was to analyze hanging deaths occurring in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh in relation to several factors associated with such deaths.
This study was performed on 50 cases of hanging deaths brought for an autopsy to the mortuary of Government Medical College, Chandigarh. Factors associated with these deaths and post-mortem findings were recorded and statistically analyzed.
It was observed that the most vulnerable age group was 20 - 29 years. Among all the victims, 54% were married; 70% of the victims were from urban area. In 30% cases motive of hanging was not known. 92% of suicides by hanging occurred indoors and most of the incidence occurred at evening time, in 56% cases. Complete hanging was found in 68% cases and partial hanging in 32% cases. The commonly used ligature materials were means which were easily available to the victim viz. dupatta, nylon rope, saree etc. and in 68% cases ligature mark were above the level of thyroid cartilage. Fracture of Hyoid bone was found in 6% cases. Conclusion: The findings of the present study will help in highlighting the prevailing scenario of hanging deaths in this region.
Hanging, Ligature material, Ligature mark, Complete hanging, Hyoid bone
