Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2017

THE CONSTRICTING FORCE ON NECK : HOW INFORMATIVE IT IS ?

Dr. Sasi Kanth. Z, Dr. Aparna. P

Abstract :

                          Many a times, a ligature mark may be the only evidence available in cases of asphyxial deaths due either to hanging or strangulation. A thorough examination of the ligature mark and analysis of the information provided by it, is therefore, a must to arrive at the most probable cause of death and differentiate between hanging and the ligature strangulation.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore from January 2014 to Decembar 2014, 1 year period to assess the information provided by a ligature mark in such cases.

Results: We found that deaths due to hanging constituted 3.4% of the total unnatural deaths subjected to medico legal autopsy; young adults, of the age group 20 to 40 years accounted for the maximum cases, 27%; and the male: female ratio was 2:1. Chunni was the most common ligature material used. Majority of the victims preferred multiple knots (61%) and fixed knots (58%) and a single loop (93%). The mark was obliquely placed (98% cases) above the larynx (85% cases). In all the cases of ligature strangulation, the mark was transverse, on the level of thyroid cartilage. Imprint over the groove when present, corresponded with the ligature material used in all the cases.

Conclusion: It was concluded that a thorough, scientific examination of the ligature mark, though not conclusive, but is the most important part of the postmortem examination of deaths due to hanging and ligature strangulation.

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF    DOI : https://www.doi.org/10.36106/gjra  

Cite This Article:

Dr.SASI KANTH.Z, Dr.APARNA.P, THE CONSTRICTING FORCE ON NECK : HOW INFORMATIVE IT IS ?, GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS : VOLUME-6 | Issue‾5 | May‾2017

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