Pattern of ligature mark in cases of hanging and ligature strangulation – a prospective study

Violent asphyxial death is one of the most important causes for unnatural deaths amongst which hanging and strangulation are commonly encountered in professional life of forensic expert. Neck findings, particularly ligature mark is considered to be decisive. A prospective study was conducted on 86 cases of hanging and 4 cases of ligature strangulation brought for autopsy to the mortuary of Sir T hospital & Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India during period of January 2011 to December 2011.