Study of Ligature Mark in hanging cases in Bangalore East Region

Authors

  • Mallikarjun S Ballur Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam, Kerala- 691537 India
  • R Dayananda Assist. Prof, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Mysore Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka
  • S K Karthik Assist. Prof, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore
  • Priyanka Murgod Post Graduate Student, Dept. of Pathology, S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka
  • G Sujathan Prof & HOD, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/

Keywords:

Hanging, Ligature mark, Suicide, Thyroid cartilage

Abstract

Hanging is the commonest method of committing suicide and is considered as a painless form of  death. In hanging the appreciation of external signs particularly ligature mark plays a vital role. Hence a  proper observation and study of ligature mark which the characteristic hallmark of hanging, needs greater  emphasis. The ligature mark is a pressure abrasion on the neck at the site of the ligature which appears  as a groove. This prospective study was conducted among victims of hanging brought to Dr. B. R.  Ambedkar Medical College morgue, Bangalore during the period November 2010 to October 2012. A  sum total of 232 cases brought with a history of hanging were selected for this prospective study. Atypical  ligature marks with partial hanging outnumbered typical ligature mark with complete hanging. Single  ligature mark above the level of thyroid cartilage with a breadth of 1to2cms is observed in the maximum  number of cases. Majority of the ligature marks were prominent in their appearance. The colour of ligature  mark was dark brown in one third of cases. 

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Fig. 1: According to the Colour of the Ligature Mark

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Published

2016-05-25

How to Cite

Ballur, M. S., Dayananda , R., Karthik, S. K., Murgod, P., & Sujathan , G. (2016). Study of Ligature Mark in hanging cases in Bangalore East Region . Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine, 38(1), 18-20. https://doi.org/10.48165/