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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.11218.12

Abstract

Introduction: Hanging is one of the most common mode of suicide in Asian countries as well as countries worldwide. Survival period in hanging does not follow a fixed pattern and fatality varies from few seconds to few minutes depending upon various factors such as duration of suspension, type of ligature material, force applied for compression of neck, position of the person etc. Victims usually fail to resist pressure and succumb to death speedily almost within few minutes. However in a few reported cases patient has survived for certain period after immediate and prompt resuscitative measures, but died at a later stage which can specifically be called as delayed or near hanging death. More than 25-30% of suicidal death cases due to hanging are reported in India and the data is expanding every year. We have studied certain number of cases in which people of young adult groups succumbed to death following consequent complications after rescued hanging.

Aims & Objectives: The present study is conducted to analyse the cases of delayed death in hanging and their comparison with other cases of hanging as well as preventive aspects in such cases.

Materials and methods: Total Nos. of delayed death in hanging were 07 during 2016 and 2017, among 131 cases of death due to hanging autopsied, which were brought to mortuary of KGH, Raigarh (C.G.), during the period of January 2016 to December 2017.

Observations & Results: In our study, Male: Female= 1:6, Partial: Complete Hanging= 1:6, Age group-16-36 years, Cause of death= H.I.E followed by pulmonary oedema, Survival period= 24-48 hrs, in one case victim survived around seven days. Soft & Hard materials were used for the purpose of hanging.

Conclusion: Predominant cause behind death is HIE and pulmonary oedema. Overcoming critical period can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Rescued Hanging; Delayed Death; Near Death; Suicide; HIE.

Corresponding Author : Rajesh Ban Goswami, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Late Shri Lakhiram Agrawal Memorial Govt. Medical College, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh 496001, India.