Postmortem Sperm Retrieval in Hanging-Induced Mechanical Asphyxia: Probability and Temporal Dynamics

Aim: To assess the feasibility of retrieving viable spermatozoa in hanging deaths and their correlation with post-mortem interval (PMI) and sperm quality parameters. Settings and Design: A descriptive observational study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, AIIMS Bhopal. Materials and Methods: PMSR was performed in 18 medicolegal autopsy cases involving males aged 18–49 years within 24 h of death using an in-house innovated vaso-epididymal wash technique. Sperm motility and viability were assessed using an automated semen quality analyser and the eosin dye exclusion test. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square tests. Results: Motile sperm were recovered in 44.4% and viable sperm in 50% of cases. Mean motility and viability in positive samples were 14.5% and 29.9%, respectively. Viability stays up to 21.5 h post-mortem, peaking at 72%. No significant correlation was seen between PMI and sperm quality. A strong association between immotile and viable sperm supports a two-step degradation process, with motility loss preceding cellular death. Conclusion: Our results confirm the recovery of motile and viable sperm in 50% of hanging-related deaths up to 21.5 h post-mortem (peak 72%, P > 0.05), supporting the feasibility of PMSR. The findings challenge the linear model of time-dependent sperm degradation and emphasise the need for rapid processing and standardised medico-legal and ethical PMSR protocols in India.