A Prospective Study of Pattern of Ligature Marks and its Correlation with the Manner of Death
Creators
- 1. MD Forensic Medicine, Associate Professor, Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Dahanu, Palghar, Mahrashtra
Description
Introduction: Hanging is a common method of suicide, though it can also be accidental or homicidal, especially in dowry cases. Ligature marks play a crucial role in determining the cause of death, with variations in their characteristics based on the ligature used, bodily weight, and suspension time. This study aims to examine ligature patterns, improving postmortem accuracy in identifying ligature-related deaths. Methods: The study, conducted From July 2021 to June 2023 at Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Luknow. Examined 30 hanging-related deaths after receiving ethical approval. 30 patients data were gathered from family, police, and scene visits. Patients were categorized by suspension type (complete or partial) and ligature marks (typical or atypical). Both internal and external autopsies were performed, with ligature materials classified as soft or hard. Histological examination determined whether ligature marks were antemortem or post-mortem. Results: The highest number of cases occurred in the 20-29 age group (33.33%), followed by 10-20 years (26.67%). Males accounted for 58% of cases. Complete suspension was more common (73.33%) than partial. Atypical ligature marks (80%) were predominant, and soft materials were used in 53.34% of cases. Knots were mostly positioned in the left occipital region. Slipping knots were observed in 54% of cases. Thyroid cartilage fractures were less common (10%) compared to absent fractures (56.67%). Conclusion: Suicidal cases are more common in younger age groups, particularly 20-29, with a slight male predominance, while older age groups (above 50) show a higher proportion of homicidal cases. Atypical hangings are more prevalent overall, with complete suspension linked to homicides and partial suspension to suicides.
Abstract (English)
Introduction: Hanging is a common method of suicide, though it can also be accidental or homicidal, especially in dowry cases. Ligature marks play a crucial role in determining the cause of death, with variations in their characteristics based on the ligature used, bodily weight, and suspension time. This study aims to examine ligature patterns, improving postmortem accuracy in identifying ligature-related deaths. Methods: The study, conducted From July 2021 to June 2023 at Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur, Luknow. Examined 30 hanging-related deaths after receiving ethical approval. 30 patients data were gathered from family, police, and scene visits. Patients were categorized by suspension type (complete or partial) and ligature marks (typical or atypical). Both internal and external autopsies were performed, with ligature materials classified as soft or hard. Histological examination determined whether ligature marks were antemortem or post-mortem. Results: The highest number of cases occurred in the 20-29 age group (33.33%), followed by 10-20 years (26.67%). Males accounted for 58% of cases. Complete suspension was more common (73.33%) than partial. Atypical ligature marks (80%) were predominant, and soft materials were used in 53.34% of cases. Knots were mostly positioned in the left occipital region. Slipping knots were observed in 54% of cases. Thyroid cartilage fractures were less common (10%) compared to absent fractures (56.67%). Conclusion: Suicidal cases are more common in younger age groups, particularly 20-29, with a slight male predominance, while older age groups (above 50) show a higher proportion of homicidal cases. Atypical hangings are more prevalent overall, with complete suspension linked to homicides and partial suspension to suicides.
Files
IJTPR,Vol14,Issue10,Article21.pdf
Files
(682.9 kB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:93e6cdd33224da59f2e6fb111cb8589a
|
682.9 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2024-09-09
Software
References
- 1. Ballur MS, Dayananda R, Karthik SK, Murgod P, Sujathan G. Study of Ligature Mark in hanging cases in Bangalore East Region. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2016 May 25;38(1):18–20. 2. Saukko P, Knight B. Knight's Forensic Pathology. CRC Press; 2015. 665 p. 3. Clark MA, Feczko JD, Hawley DA, Pless JE, Tate LR, Fardal PM. Asphyxial deaths due to hanging in children. J Forensic Sci. 1993 Mar; 38(2):344–52. 4. Cooke CT, Cadden GA, Hilton JMN. Hanging Deaths in Children: The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 1989 Jun; 10(2):98–104. 5. Reddy K, Murty O. The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology - KSN Reddy and OPMurty. Vol. 19th ed. 2014. p. 283-295. 6. Sauvageau A. About strangulation and hanging: Language matters. Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock. 2011 Apr 1;4(2):320. 7. Narayan KA, Nithin MD. Correlation & pattern of Ligature Marks in Cases of Deaths Due to Hanging. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. 2011 Jan 15;5(1):42– 5. 8. Arif M. Ligature Mark On The Neck: How Elucidative?. The Professional Medical Journal. 2015 Jun 10;22(06):798-803. 9. Tumram NK, Ambade VN, Bardale RV, Dixit PG. Injuries over neck in hanging deaths and its relation with ligature material: Is it vital? Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2014 Feb 1;22:80–3. 10. 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 Apr 30;34 (1):40–3. 11. Reddy K, et al. Understanding strangulation: A clinical and forensic overview. Forensic Sci Int. 2016;262:88-94. 12. Sen Gupta B.K. "Studies on 101 cases of Death due to Hanging". Journal of Indian Medical Academy,1965;45(3):135-139. 13. Davison A and Marshall T. K. "Hanging in Northern Ireland-A Survey." Medicine Science and Law,1986; 26(1): 23–28 14. Luke J. L. "Asphyxial Deaths by Hanging in New York City,1964-1965." Journal of Forensic Science 1967;12(3):359-369. 15. Bowen D.A.LL. "Hanging –A review". Forensic Science International 1982; 20:247-249 16. Paparo G. P. and Siegel H. "Neck markings and fractures in suicidal hangings." Forensic Science International 1984; 24:27-35. 17. Luke JL, Reay DT, Eisele JW, Bonnell HJ. Correlation of circumstances with pathological findings in asphyxial deaths by hanging: a prospective study of 61 cases from Seattle, WA. J Forensic Sci. 1985 Oct;30(4):1140–7. 18. Leth P, Vesterby A. Homicidal hanging masquerading as suicide. Forensic science international. 1997 Feb 7;85(1):68-70. 19. C.B. Jani,, B.D. Gupta. An autopsy study of parameters influencing injury to osteocartilagenous structures of neck in hanging. International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Legal Medicine. 2002 Jan 1;5(1):4–7. 20. Nikolic S, Micic J, Atanasijevic T, Djokic V, Djonic D. Analysis of neck injuries in hanging. The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology. 2003 Jun 1;24(2):179-82. 21. Patel AP, Bansal A, Shah J, Shah KA. Study of hanging cases in Ahmedabad region. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2012 Oct 1;34:342–5. 22. Sharma B, Harish D, Singh VP, Singh P. Ligature mark on neck: How informative? JIAFM. 2005 Jan 1;27:10–5. 23. Ambade VN, Tumram N, Meshram S, Borkar J. Ligature material in hanging deaths: The neglected area in forensic examination. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2015 Sep;5(3): 1 09–13. 24. Samant AK, Nayak SR. Newer Trends in Hanging Death. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2012 Apr 30;34(1):37–9. 25. Sharma BR, Singh VP, Harish D. Neck Structure Injuries in Hanging – Comparing Retrospective and Prospective Studies. Med Sci Law . 2005 Oct;45(4):321–30. 26. Vijayakumari N. Suicidal hanging: A prospective study. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2011 Oct 1;33:355–7. 27. Ahmad M, Hossain M. Hanging as a Method of Suicide: Retrospective Analysis of Postmortem Cases. J Armed Forces Med Coll. 1970 Jan 1;6(2):37–9. 28. Suárez‐Peñaranda JM, Álvarez T, Miguéns X, Rodríguez‐Calvo MS, De Abajo BL, Cortesão M, et al. Characterization of Lesions in Hanging Deaths. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2008 May;53(3):720–3. 29. Ranjbar M, Liaghat A, Ranjbar A, Mohabbati H. Toxicologic Laboratory Findings in Cases Reported with Hanging Death: a Two-Year Retrospective Study in Northeast Iran. APJMT [Internet]. 2013 Sep [cited 2024 Sep 22];2(3). 30. Bhosle S, Kuchewar S, Bhosle SH, Batra A, Kuchewar SV, Bhosle SH, et al. Violent Asphyxial Death Due To Hanging: A Prospective Study. J Forensic Med Sci Law. 2014 Jan;23(1):1-8.