Abstract

The deaths due to of fatal pressure over neck in hanging are distinguished by a very thin line from ligature strangulations and may lead to complexity and controversy during the further course of investigation if the findings are not interpreted properly at the autopsy stage. We report a case of an individual who was allegedly found hanging with no suicide note being recovered but during autopsy significant hemorrhage was seen in the Sternocleidomastoid and other Strap muscles, an uncommon autopsy finding in a case of hanging. After examining the ligature mark and other autopsy findings the case concluded to be of hanging only. The authors intend to highlight that an autopsy surgeon should not rush to the conclusion just because of one aberrant finding which is not usually seen in a particular manner. The case should be examined in totality considering the other findings and only then the cause and manner of death should be opined.

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