A Conflicting Case of Strangulation: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/Keywords:
Ligature mark, Abrasions, Neck tissue injuries, HomicideAbstract
A female aged 25 year was brought with a history of found unconscious at home, the body was sent to Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, Maharashtra for a medico legal post mortem. Deceased was having a ligature mark over anterior aspect of neck suggesting it as a case of hanging accompanied by few external injuries like abrasions over face and chest consistent with fall at ground level. On conclusion of autopsy, the cause of death was found to be strangulation. The process of strangulation, whether by hand (manual) or by ligature, results in blunt force injury of the tissues of neck. The pattern of these injuries allow us to recognize strangulation as a mechanism , and to distinguish strangulation from other blunt injuries including hanging, traumatic blows to the neck, and artifacts of decomposition. These classical finding were absent in this case. Absence of these characteristic findings could easily misinterpret such a case as that of hanging. Therefore I am presenting this case.
Downloads
References
Kelly M. Trauma to the neck and larynx [Review]. Crna 8(1):22-30, 1997 Feb.
Missliwetz J, Vycudilik W. Homicide by strangling or dumping with postmortem injuries after heroin poisoning? American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology 18(2):211-4, 1997 Jun.
Denic N, Huyer DW, Sinal SH, Lantz PE, Smith CR, Silver MM. Cockroach: the omnivorous scavenger. Potential misinterpretation of postmortem injuries. American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology 18(2):177-80, 1997 Jun.
Samarasekera A, Cooke C. The pathology of hanging deaths in Western Australia. Pathology 28(4):334-8, 1996 Nov.
Ortmann C, Fechner G. Unusual findings in death by hanging-- reconstruction of capacity for action. [German] Archive fur Kriminologie 197(3-4):104-10, 1996 Mar-Apr.
Howell MA, Guly HR. Near hanging presenting to an accident and emergency department. Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine 13(2):135-6, 1996 Mar.
Maxeiner H. “Hidden” laryngeal injuries in homicidal strangulation: How to detect and interpret these findings. J Forensic Sci 43 (No. 4): 784-791, 1998 July.
William Ernoehazy Jr. Hanging Injuries and Strangulation Medscape: Online Article. Accessed on 08/10/2013. Available from: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/826704-overview
Nandy A. Violent Asphyxial deaths. Principles of Forensic Medicine including Toxicology. New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd. 3rd Edi. (2010) 529-30