Citation

Sharma SK. J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2000; 17(2): 27-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Department of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Hanging has been observed to have enough potential of creating controversy. (1,2). Those who dispute hanging for ligature strangulation or for postmortem hanging raise a variety of contentious issues. For instance hanging can't be suicidal with noose of so many turns and or so tight a noose. Or that suicidal hanging can't be with such a slipknot. Someone may contest that hanging can't be with a complete ligature mark. Or that suicidal hanging can't be in sitting or even kneeling position. Or that hanging can't be without mark of saliva. A case of suicidal hanging contested as that of homicidal hanging took its place amongst the controversial deaths of which district level medicolegal culture is full. It remained controversial because of several objections. The case report is a striking instance of the way in which people on both sides, may go completely astray by overlooking basics of hanging or over-suspecting homicide. Controversy that might erupt on suicidal or homicidal manner of death due to hanging includes autopsy too. Clarifications by non-forensic personals during investigation and available unwritten medical opinions have immense potential of complicating a simple matter.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; article; autopsy; body position; case report; cause of death; crime; criminal behavior; death; forensic pathology; hanging; homicide; human; male; medicolegal aspect; photography; saliva; sitting; strangulation; suicide; viscera