Citation

Pathak H, Metkari R, Tyagi S. J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2021; 38(1): 60-63.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Department of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.5958/0974-4568.2021.00011.9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health concern around the world. In India, hanging is one of the most common methods to commit suicide.

AIM: This study aimed to observe the changes in the parotid, submandibular, and thyroid gland in suicidal hanging.

METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed and suicidal hanging cases with documented histopathological findings of salivary and thyroid glands were identified. This group was further analyzed about the duration of hanging, weight of deceased, and ligature mark with the position of knot.

RESULTS: Findings of submandibular, parotid, and thyroid glands were observed in 41deaths due to hanging. Out of 41 cases, congestion was seen on histopathological examinationin 36(87.8%) and Focal interstitial infiltration was seen in five cases(12.2%), mostly seen in partial hanging. Focal interstitial hemorrhages in submandibular and parotid glands were seen in 3 cases (16.7%) and 2cases(11.1%)in the thyroid gland where the weight of the deceased was between 61-70 kg.

CONCLUSION: In situations when there is no other evidence, histopathological examination, especially of the thyroid and salivary glands, can constitute important evidence for proving the ante-mortem nature of hanging. The increased duration of hanging and the weight of the body increases the chances of the presence of focal interstitial hemorrhages in the salivary and thyroid glands. © 2021, Medico Legal Society. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Article; autopsy; body weight; clinical article; conjunctival hemorrhage; duration of hanging; eosin; female; Focal interstitial hemorrhage; hanging; hematoxylin; histopathology; homicide; human; ligature mark; male; observational study; parotid gland; position of knot; retrospective study; salivary gland; submandibular gland; suicidal ideation; suicide; tertiary care center; thyroid gland