Incidence of Carotid tears in cases of deaths due to hanging – a prospective study conducted in Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai

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Original Article

Author Details : S. Balusubramanain, A. Gokulakrishnan

Volume : 3, Issue : 2, Year : 2016

Article Page : 87-91

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Abstract

The present study was carried out between 2012 and 2015. A total of 5068 autopsies were conducted of which 15.7% (n – 764) cases were deaths due to hanging. The commonest ligature materials of choice were Sari. In 68% of the cases, hanging was complete. Females (n – 343) and males (n – 421) were equally affected. The major age group involved in both the sexes was of 31–40 years, contributing to 60.7% of the self-suspension. Majority of the ligatures had a fixed type of knot contributing to 97.73% (n – 658) of the suspensions and only 2.27% (n – 106) showed slip knot. Based on position of knot all cases were divided into four categories according to the position of the knot on the neck (I–IV) and further based on position of the body they are further classified into complete and partial hanging (A & B)  Of the 764 cases of hanging, transverse laceration in the intimal layer was seen in 412 cases in which most of them were identified by histological examination rather than naked eye examination, Amongst complete hanging (IA, IIIA, IVA) shows more incidence of carotid tear than posterior partial hanging (II B).

Key words: Hanging, Suicide, Ligature knot, Carotid tear, Intimal tear

How to cite : Balusubramanain S, Gokulakrishnan A, Incidence of Carotid tears in cases of deaths due to hanging – a prospective study conducted in Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai. Indian J Forensic Community Med 2016;3(2):87-91

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