Hanging

th
6 year, 2017/2018
Introduction

 a form of violent asphyxial death

 suspension of the body by a ligature
 Classification

 1. Degree of suspension:
 Complete
 Partial

 2. Position of the knot

 Typical
 Atypical

 3. Manner of hanging
 Suicidal
 Homicidal
 Accidental
 Judicial
Causes of death

 Asphyxia
 Venous congestion
 Cerebral anemia
 Reflex vagal inhibition
 Fracture and dislocation of the cervical vertebra
Fatal period

 Death due to asphyxia – 5 to 10 minutes

 Death due to occlusion of blood vessels – 12 to 20 minutes
 Judicial hanging – instantaneous
 Delayed deaths
Post-mortem appearance

 Ligature mark – discontinuous, oblique, parchmented



 Composition, width and multiplicity, the weight of the body

and the degree of suspension, length of time the body has
been suspended, knot mark, removal of the ligature material
Other signs

 Post-mortem staining – glove and stocking like distribution

 Congestion of the face, bloody froth, protruded tongue,

dribbling of saliva, dilated pupil, clenched hands, relaxation
of sphincters, semi-erect penis
Medico-legal aspects of hanging

 Invariably suicide, until proven otherwise

 Homicidal hanging – lynching
 Judicial hanging
 Post-mortem hanging
Sources
th
 Simpson’s Forensic Medicine, 13 edition
Questions

 How can hanging be classified?

 What are the post-mortem findings?