Suicidal Ligature Strangulation without a Knot - A Case Report

Strangulation is a form of death due to asphyxia. Suicide by ligature strangulation is rare & very unique. In suicidal strangulation, the signs of venous congestion are very well developed above the ligature mark. The above said feature is seen where the ligature is twisted several times round the neck, which is followed by a knot. In suicidal strangulation the marks of violence, struggle on other parts of the body are rare and as a rule absent. The following is an unusual case of suicidal strangulation where the victim maintained pressure over neck by pulling the ligature with his left hand. Scene of a crime, relative position of body, absence of violent marks/struggle marks, entangled thread within the grasp of the deceased’s hand, past history of suicidal attempt and mental condition of the deceased assisted in arriving at the manner of death. *Corresponding author: Kumar PMV, MBBS, MD (Forensic Medicine), RRMC & H, Mysore Road, Kambipura, Bangalore -74, Karnataka, India Kumar PMV*, Ahmed N and Rayamane AP World Health Organization mortality data found that hanging was the most common method used for committing suicide in most of the countries [1]. Literature search suggests that the suicidal hanging is the most common method used in India. Self-strangulation by ligature is uncommon [2]. Strangulation is a type of mechanical asphyxia produced by constriction of the neck by ligature material, without suspending the body [3]. Most of the strangulation deaths are homicidal in nature. Accidental and self-strangulation death are very rare to meet in practice. In the case of suicidal strangulation, there will be no signs of struggle & resistance, the neck including the laryngeal cartilages will not show injury and thus can be differentiated with homicidal strangulation where injuries to the neck musculature are more [2]. Attending the scene of crime, examination of the neck with respect to the pattern, course, position and the method as to how the two free ends of ligature material has been fixed to create constant pressure and constriction of the neck, absences of injuries to other parts of the body, previous history of deceased helps in determining the manner of death. On the perusal of inquest submitted by the investigating officer, the deceased a chronic alcoholic was found in an open field with ligature material present in situ around the neck (Figure 1). The free end of the ligature material was twisted within fingers of his left hand the hand was stretched away from the torso (abducted), made out from the presence of rigor mortis. On further enquiry with the investigating officer, it suggested that one day prior to this fatal incidence; the deceased had carried a sharp cutting weapon (sickle) and threatened to cut his throat in front of his villagers (superficial, parallel incisions noted over the front of neck -hesitation cuts Figure 4). At that moment, the villagers overcome the deceased and prevented him from getting harmed. Also, the investigating officer could elicit the fact that the deceased suffering from diseases and was thus depressed. Citation: Kumar PMV, Ahmed N, Rayamane AP (2014) Suicidal Ligature Strangulation without a Knot A Case Report. SAJ Forensic Sci 1: 101 Volume 1 | Issue 1 Ligature Strangulation; Asphyxia; Venous congestion; Suicide Volume 1 | Issue 1 www.scholarena.com Case Report Open Access SAJ Forensic Science www.scholarena.com Introduction