IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 19, Issue 6 Ser.18 (June. 2020), PP 43-46 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1906184346 www.iosrjournal.org 43 | Page Ligature Marks in Hanging Cases- An Autopsy Based Study Dr. Bhaskar Chowdhury 1 , Dr. Anindya Kumar Goswami 2 , Dr. Biplab Shee 3 , *Dr. Shouvanik Adhya 4 1 (Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Rampurhat Govt. Medical College, Rampurhat, West Bengal, India) 2 (Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Murshidabad Medical College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India) 3 (Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Murshidabad Medical College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India) 4 (Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani, WBUHS, West Bengal, India) *Corresponding Author: Dr. Shouvanik Adhya Abstract: Hanging is one of the most common methods of suicidal death in India.. Most of the cases of hanging are suicidal unless proved otherwise. The ligature mark in hanging plays a very important role in investigation. Hence a proper examination of ligature mark which is the characteristic hallmark of hanging, needs greater emphasis. The ligature mark is a form of pressure abrasion around the neck placed obliquely high up, non continuous, parchmentised, & grooved. This prospective study was conducted among victims of hanging brought to Rampurhat Govt. Medical College morgue, Rampurhat, Birbhum during the period November 2018 to October 2019. Of all the cases brought to the department for medico-legal autopsy, cases in which death had resulted from hanging were identified and selected for this study. A sum total of 264 cases were selected for this prospective study. The hanging deaths are of different types in their execution as typical/atypical and complete/partial. Atypical ligature marks with partial hanging outnumbered than typical ligature mark with complete hanging. Single ligature mark above the level of thyroid cartilage with a breadth of 1 to 2cms is observed in the maximum number of cases. Majority of the ligature marks were prominent in their appearance. The colour of ligature mark was dark brown in one third of cases. Atypical ligature marks with partial hanging outnumbered typical ligature mark with complete hanging. Key Words: Hanging, ligature mark, suicide, thyroid cartilage --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 16-06-2020 Date of Acceptance: 02-07-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Death is certain for all living beings, but only humans end their lives prematurely by committing suicide [1] . History of suicides goes back at least to the earliest human records. Human suicidal behaviour has always been a source of threat to mankind. There are a number of methods for committing suicide like poisoning, hanging, drowning etc. Hanging is one of the common methods of committing suicide in rural area as it causes painless form of death with minimum cost. Sometimes ligature material can be obtained from house hold substances like –Rope, Saree, Dupatta, Belt etc. Sometimes, hanging is adopted when other forms of suicide (poisoning, cut throat injury, etc.) have failed to produce the desired effect. The thought to hang one-self may come progressively or on an impulse. Hanging is a form of violent asphyxial death produced by suspension of the body by a ligature around the neck, the constricting force being the weight of the body. Depending upon degree of suspension- a) Complete Hanging-body is completely suspended without any part touching the ground, b)Partial Hanging-the body is suspended partially, toes or feet touching the ground. The weight of the head, leg, chest & arms act as constricting force. Depending on the position of knot- a) Typical Hanging-the ligature runs from the midline above the thyroid cartilage symmetrically upward on both sides of the neck to the occipital region & the knot is over the central part of back of neck, b) Atypical Hanging-the knot is anywhere other than on the occiput i.e. on the right or left side or front of the neck. In hanging the appreciation of external signs particularly ligature mark plays a vital role. Hence a proper observation and study of ligature mark which the characteristic hallmark of hanging needs greater emphasis. The ligature mark is a pressure abrasion on the neck at the site of the ligature which appears as a groove which is pale initially then turns yellow or yellowish