Socio-Demographic Profile and Gross Findings in Hanging and Strangulation Victims: An Autopsy based Study

Introduction:Hanging and strangulation are forms of violent asphyxial death and are commonly encountered in day-to-day autopsy. The need to differentiate between the two is extremely crucial especially in cases of suspicious deaths. Thorough examination of the external and internal findings including ligature mark helps to establish the crucial facts in such cases. Methodology:The present observational study was carried out on 100 autopsy cases of hanging and strangulation, in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, G.G.S Medical College& Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab during a period from April,2021 to October, 2022 Results:A total of 100 cases of hanging and strangulation were studied. Males accounted for majority of cases of hanging while females accounted for majority of cases of strangulation. Various other factors like age distribution, ligature material used, nail marks, parchmentization, tongue bite were studied. Data was statically analysed. Conclusion:A meticulous forensic examination in hanging and strangulation is of great importance to differentiate between them. This study highlights that the ligature mark needs to be evaluated and correlated along with external findings, internal findings and histopathological findings of neck structures.