Suicide by Hanging in Jharkhand: An Autopsy based Cross Sectional Study

Intentional violent asphyxial deaths are one of the important causes of death. Nowadays hanging is one of the preferred modes of committing suicide, as it supposedly produces less pain and sure instantaneous death as compared to other modes of suicide. As per data available with WHO and National Crime Report Bureau (NCRB) Government of India that there are few studies conducted in India. Such study has not been conducted in this part of India i.e. Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The aim of this study is to find out the demographic profile and attributing factors for suicide hanging in the state of Jharkhand of India.

This prospective study was carried out on 351 cases of death due to hanging in the department of forensic medicine & toxicology of Rajendra Institute of Medical sciences, Ranchi during April 2013 to October 2014. Information regarding the socio-demographic, mode of suicides, time of incidence, place of incidence, occupation, etc. were gathered from the police papers like inquest report, dead body Challan and through detailed interviews with the relatives, neighbours, friends, and police officials accompanying the dead bodies.

Amongst total cases of suicidal hanging, males were predominant to female. The majority (61.0%) of victims who had committed suicides were youths in the age-group 15–29 years. Maximum victims (57%) were married. The majority of the victims were from middle economic class (53%) and maximum incidences were occurred during summer (43%). The majority (69%) were chosen parental home for hanging. The maximum suicidal incident occurred at evening (between 4 PM to 8 PM), which accounts 33%. The lowest occurrence of suicidal hanging was reported at afternoon (between 12 Pm-4 pm) 6%.

In this area of the country the majority (61.0%) of victims who had committed suicides were youths in the age-group 15–29 years.