Study of Ligature Mark in hanging cases in Bangalore East Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/Keywords:
Hanging, Ligature mark, Suicide, Thyroid cartilageAbstract
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.
Downloads
References
Sharma BR, Harish D, Sharma S, Singh H. Injuries to structures in deaths due to constriction of neck, with special reference to hanging. J Forensic Leg Med. 2008 July; 15(5): 298-305.
Sharma BR, Singh VP, Harish D. Neck structure injuries in Hanging-comparing retrospective and prospective studies. Med Sci. Law. 2005; 45(4):321-330.
Uzun I, Buyuk Y, Gurpinar K. Suicidal hanging: fatalities in Istanbul retrospective analysis of 761 autopsy cases. J Forensic Leg Med. 2007; 14(7):406-409.
M Ahmad, MZ Hossain. Hanging as a Method of Suicide: Retrospective Analysis of Postmortem Cases. JAFMC Bangladesh. 2010; 6(2):37-39.
T. Saisudheer, T. V. Nagaraja. A study of ligature mark in cases of hanging deaths. Int. J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2012;3(3):80-84. 6. Momin SG, Mangal HM, Kyada HC, Vijapura MT, Bhuva SD. Pattern of Ligature Mark in Cases of Compressed Neck in Rajkot Region: A Prospective Study. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2012; 34(1):40-43.
G. A. Sunil Kumar Sharma, O.P. Murthy, T. D. Dogra. “Study of ligature marks in asphyxial deaths of hanging and strangulation”. International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Legal Medicine 2002; 4(2):21-24.
Elfawal M.A. and Awad O.A. “Deaths from Hanging in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.” Medicine Science and Law, 1994; 34(4):307–312.
Luke J.L. “Asphyxial Deaths by Hanging in NewYork City, 1964- 1965.” Journal of Forensic Science 1967; 12(3):359-369.
Betz P., Eisenmenger W. “Frequency of throat-skeleton fractures in hanging”. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology 1996; 17(3): 191-193.
Paparo G.P., Siegel H. “Neck markings and fractures in suicidal hangings.” Forensic Science International 1984; 24:27-35. 12. Chaudhary B.L, Sharma R.K, Singh D. Suicidal hanging versus homicidal hanging- A case report. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2008; 2(2): 32-33.
Ryk James, Paul Silcocks. “Suicidal Hanging in Cardiff: A 15 Year Retrospective Study.” Forensic Science International 1992; 56:167-175.
Sarangi M.P. “Ligature Mark/s- In Forensic Pathologist’s Perspective.” Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology 1998; 15(1): 99-102.
Fig. 1: According to the Colour of the Ligature Mark
00%
00%
00%
00%
00%
M.I. Sheikh, S.S. Agarwal. Suicide in custody. Journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture. 2004; 14(1): 35-37.
Sharma RK. Concise text book of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2nd edition: 55-56.
Jani C.B., Gupta B.D. “An autopsy study of parameters influencing
Dark brown
Red Pale Yellowish brown
Percent
injury to osteocartilaginous structures of neck in hanging”. International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine 2002; 5(1): 4-7.
Nikolic Slobodan, Micic Jelena, Atanasijevic Tatjana, Djokic Vesna, Djonic Danijela. “Analysis of Neck Injuries in Hanging [Case Report]” The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 2003; 24(2): 179-182.