A Retrospective Post Mortem Analysis Of Hanging Deaths At A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital In Telangana.

Abstract

Background: Hanging is an important form of mechanical asphyxia and remains one of the commonly encountered methods of suicide in India. Medicolegal investigation of hanging deaths requires careful evaluation of demographic characteristics, ligature material, knot position and the circumstances surrounding death. Regional studies are important because the demographic and sociocultural profile of hanging deaths may vary considerably. Objective: To retrospectively analyse the demographic profile, ligature materials, position of the knot and recorded precipitating factors among cases of hanging deaths subjected to post-mortem examination at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Telangana. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was undertaken on 152 cases of hanging deaths subjected to medicolegal post-mortem examination. Data were obtained from the available post-mortem/medicolegal records. The variables analysed included age, sex, ligature material, position of the knot and the reason or precipitating circumstance recorded in the case history. The findings were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 152 deceased persons, 97 (63.82%) were males and 55 (36.18%) were females, giving a male predominance. The largest age group was >50 years, comprising 62 cases (40.79%), followed by 31–40 years and 41–50 years with 30 cases each (19.74%). Saree was the most frequently used ligature material, accounting for 44 cases (28.95%), followed by chunni 30 (19.74%), lungi 22 (14.47%), nylon rope 21 (13.82%), jute rope 17 (11.18%), towel 15 (9.87%) and plastic rope 3 (1.97%). The knot was situated at the nape of the neck in 58 cases (38.16%), followed by the right side of the neck in 50 (32.89%), left side in 39 (25.66%) and back of the neck in 5 (3.29%). Ill health was the most frequently documented reason, accounting for 37 cases (24.34%), followed by financial issues 23 (15.13%), job issues and business issues 13 each (8.55%), marriage issues 12 (7.89%) and family quarrel 11 (7.24%). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a male predominance and a substantial representation of individuals above 50 years. Saree was the commonest ligature material and the nape of the neck was the most frequent knot position. Ill health and financial problems constituted the leading recorded precipitating factors. The findings emphasise the multifactorial nature of hanging deaths and the need for accurate medicolegal documentation, early identification of vulnerable individuals and appropriate preventive interventions.