Autopsy based study of cases of hanging with respect to marital status and place of hanging at tertiary care centre in Central India

Asphyxial deaths are a common phenomenon. The stressful life with financial burden, poor socio-economic status, homicidal intentions, industrialisation, psychiatric disorders, human errors, estranged relationships, accidents etc had contributed to a tremendous increase in asphyxial deaths. Hanging is second or third most popular method of suicide. Hanging has been employed as the method of suicide since time immemorial. Usually all hanging cases are suicidal. Accidental hanging is un-common and homicidal cases are rare. Moreover there is great diversity related to marital status of victim and place of hanging which provides a rough clue for investigating authorities. The present study is based on the autopsies conducted in the mortuary of Forensic Medicine Department, situated in central India. A total number of 1833 postmortem examination were conducted during 1st August 2011 to 31st July 2016 and amongst these 121 cases were due to asphyxial deaths. Keyword: Asphyxia, Hanging, Marrietal status, lndoor, Outdoor