Retrospective Study of Postmortem Cases of ‘Hanging ? A Method Of Suicide

Introduction and Objective: Hanging is a form of violent asphyxial death. It produces painless death for the victims so that it is a widely accepted method of suicide. The rate of suicidal hanging cases is increasing day by day. The Objective of study is to find out demography of hanging, its distribution according to age group, sex, most common ligature material used by victim and observed post-mortem findings and in this way try to identify the causative factors and developing the preventive measures that are essential to reduce death due to hanging. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of hanging cases reported to mortuary of Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital, Ahmedabad during a period of 2 years, (from November 2009 to October 2011) is carried out. Results: Out of total 2244 cases of post-mortem during 2 years, 74 (3.29%) were hanging cases. Maximum cases 34 (45.94%) of death due to hanging seen in age group 21-30 years. Majority of cases 46 (62.16%) were observed in Males. Majority of victims have used Dupatta, 40 (54.05%) as a ligature material. Manner of death is suicide in all cases. Cyanosis, salivary marks and petechial hemorrhage in brain observed in variable number of cases. Conclusion: Suicide by Hanging has become very common now a days. A well designed and comprehensive programme is needed to identify the causative factor and prevention of suicidal hanging. Appropriate education, reducing unemployment, improving the quality of self esteem and involvement of young generation in encouraging activities may reduce rate of death due to hanging.