Study of Ligature Mark in Cases of Hanging

Hanging is one of the common methods of suicide practices in India. Almost all death caused by hanging is considered suicide till contrary is proved. Ligature mark is important findings whose careful examination may reveal so many facts which will be helpful in investigation. A thorough internal examination must be correlated with ligature mark otherwise chance of wrong interpretation increases.

To know the different patterns of ligature mark in cases of hanging and also to differentiate cases of ante mortem hanging and post mortem hanging by examination of ligature mark.

Study was conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and department of Pathology at RIMS Ranchi. Total 83 cases of asphyxial deaths due to hanging were taken for the study. Complete external, internal and histopathological examination was done in all case.

Most of the case falls in third decade of life. Males are more common victims. Most common type of hanging observed was complete hanging. In histopathological examination breaking, wrinkling, and compression of skin along with hemorrhagic spots and inflammatory changes were observed under the ligature mark.

In cases of hanging deaths, a complete external, internal as well as histopathological examination should be carried out. Before making any final opinion all these findings must be correlated, this will definitely help in differentiating ante mortem hanging from post mortem