Pattern of Ligature Mark in Hanging—An Autopsy-based Study

The most important and evident external finding of hanging is a ligature mark, which is a pressure abrasion. A ligature mark can tell so much about the material causing it and its antemortem origin if looked into with utmost care. This cross-sectional study makes a prompt and sincere attempt to study the pattern of ligature marks in hanging deaths and their relation to the materials producing it. The present cross-sectional study enrolled 210 cases of hanging deaths brought for autopsy to the mortuary wing of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, between March 2021 and October 2022. The classic non-continuous ligature mark which is situated over and above the level of thyroid cartilage was observed in the majority of the cases. Imprint pattern of the ligature material, grooving, the continuity of the ligature mark, and peri-ligature injuries showed a significant association with the consistency and type of ligature material used. The thyroid cartilage fractures and the cervical spine fractures showed a significant association with the position of the knot.