Autopsy Of Hanging

Question 1

Define asphyxia in a forensic context.

Answer 1

Condition with severely deficient oxygen supply due to inability to breathe normally.

Question 2

List the main motives or types of hanging.

Answer 2

Judicial execution, suicide, accidental (e.g., sexual experimentation), homicide.

Question 3

Describe complete hanging.

Answer 3

Suspension from a high point; the body hangs freely with feet unsupported, full body weight acting as constricting force.

Question 4

Differentiate complete hanging from partial hanging.

Answer 4

Complete: body hangs freely; Partial: body is partially supported, with feet or knees touching the ground.

Question 5

Explain typical hanging and its distinguishing feature.

Answer 5

Knot over the nape of the neck, ligature runs symmetrically along sides of neck.

Question 6

What is the pole method of hanging?

Answer 6

Person attached to a pole by neck and chest, then dropped to induce hanging.

Question 7

Describe progression of hanging symptoms.

Answer 7

Loss of power, ringing in ears, loss of consciousness, convulsive movements in judicial hanging.

Question 8

What is the typical heartbeat duration after hanging?

Answer 8

Heart continues to beat for about 10-15 minutes post-asphyxia.

Question 9

Explain the mechanism of asphyxia in hanging.

Answer 9

Ligature compresses larynx, trachea, tongue, and epiglottis, blocking the airway.

Question 10

What causes venous congestion in hanging?

Answer 10

Jugular veins compressed by ligature, stopping cerebral circulation and causing rapid head venous pressure rise.

Question 11

Define cerebral anemia in hanging.

Answer 11

Compression of neck arteries leading to brain oxygen deprivation and immediate coma.

Question 12

What tension is needed to block carotid arteries in hanging?

Answer 12

A tension of 4-5 kg.

Question 13

How does reflex vagal inhibition contribute to death in hanging?

Answer 13

Pressure on vagal sheath or carotid bodies can inhibit heart function and lead to cardiac arrest.

Question 14

What conditions cause immediate death in hanging?

Answer 14

Cervical vertebral fracture or cardiac inhibition.

Question 15

List delayed complications leading to death after hanging.

Answer 15

Aspiration pneumonia, lung edema, hypoxic encephalopathy, brain infarction, brain abscess, cerebral softening.

Question 16

Identify six primary causes of death in hanging.

Answer 16

Asphyxia, cerebral anoxia, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrest, cervical fracture, jugular vein closure.

Question 17

Why is the ligature mark important in a hanging autopsy?

Answer 17

Helps analyze hanging type, body suspension degree, knot position, and time body was suspended.

Question 18

Describe typical external signs of hanging.

Answer 18

Ligature impression, abrasions, ecchymosis, cyanotic face, protruding eyes and tongue, clenched hands, erect penis.

Question 19

What changes occur in compressed tissues beneath the ligature?

Answer 19

Appear white and shiny, indicating constriction.

Question 20

List common internal signs in hanging.

Answer 20

Compressed tissues, tongue against pharynx, possible hyoid bone fracture, congested mucosa.

Question 21

How is hanging confirmed as the cause of death?

Answer 21

Ligature marks, abrasions, saliva dribbling, carotid intima rupture, post-mortem asphyxia signs.

Question 22

Describe saliva dribbling in hanging.

Answer 22

Saliva drips from mouth opposite knot position, indicating ante-mortem reaction due to submandibular gland irritation.

Question 23

What causes ecchymosis around the ligature mark?

Answer 23

Small blood extravasations due to ligature constriction pre-mortem, not always present in hanging cases.

Question 24

What is the significance of carotid artery intima rupture?

Answer 24

Conclusive evidence of ante-mortem hanging.

Question 25

List classical signs of asphyxia.

Answer 25

Cyanosis, congestion, fluid blood, pulmonary edema, petechial hemorrhages, stasis hemorrhages, cardiac arrest.

Question 26

What does venous engorgement indicate in hanging?

Answer 26

Significant venous buildup in venae cavae, neck veins, and pulmonary artery, indicative of asphyxia.

Question 27

What is Tardieu’s sign?

Answer 27

Hemorrhages in connective tissue around aorta, esophagus, and pleura, common in asphyxiation deaths.

Question 28

What are subpleural ecchymoses?

Answer 28

Hemorrhages under the pleura, often seen in asphyxial deaths like hanging.

Question 29

What characterizes fluid blood in hanging autopsy?

Answer 29

Dark-colored and lacks typical clotting, common in asphyxiation cases.

Question 30

What is hypostasis and where is it commonly observed in hanging?

Answer 30

Postmortem pooling of blood, often seen in lower limbs and body’s caudal half.

Question 31

What does clenched hands signify in hanging autopsy?

Answer 31

A common sign due to muscle spasms or reflex action near time of death.

Question 32

Describe hyoid bone status in hanging autopsies.

Answer 32

Can be fractured due to ligature force, though this is less frequent in younger individuals.

Question 33

What role does saliva play in determining the timing of death in hanging?

Answer 33

Ante-mortem saliva dribbling suggests life was present at the time of ligature compression.

Question 34

What internal organ changes are indicative of hanging?

Answer 34

Engorged right heart, empty left heart, dark fluid blood in venae cavae.

Question 35

How does cervical fracture affect rapidity of death in hanging?

Answer 35

A fracture causes instant spinal cord damage, leading to immediate death.

Question 36

What diagnostic signs differentiate hanging from strangulation?

Answer 36

Presence of ligature mark, upward rope movement in suicide, saliva trickling opposite to knot.

Question 37

Describe the neck appearance in judicial versus suicidal hanging.

Answer 37

Judicial: symmetrical ligature; Suicidal: typically asymmetric depending on knot position.

Question 38

What postmortem findings might suggest homicide over suicide in hanging?

Answer 38

Fibers from ligature not on victim’s hands, drag marks, upward rope movement from below.

Question 39

Why is neck ligature mark direction important?

Answer 39

Indicates the direction of rope movement; upward in homicide, downward in suicide.

Question 40

What is fluidity of blood in autopsy and its implication?

Answer 40

Blood remains fluid due to lack of circulation; signifies asphyxia as cause of death.

Question 41

How does the long drop hanging method work?

Answer 41

Measures rope slack for calculated neck breakage to prevent decapitation.

Question 42

What is vagal inhibition in hanging and its effect?

Answer 42

Pressure on vagal nerve can trigger cardiac arrest, a common cause of immediate death.

Question 43

Explain why saliva often drools opposite the knot in hanging.

Answer 43

Ligature pressure stimulates salivary glands; gravity directs saliva away from knot.

Question 44

How does cyanosis present in hanging cases?

Answer 44

Skin appears blue due to oxygen deprivation, commonly seen in facial and neck areas.

Question 45

Why are hyoid fractures more common in older individuals?

Answer 45

Bone density increases with age, making bones less pliable and more likely to fracture.

Question 46

Describe the appearance of the carotid arteries in hanging autopsy.

Answer 46

Can show intimal rupture from ligature pressure, indicating ante-mortem hanging.

Question 47

What does petechial hemorrhage indicate in hanging?

Answer 47

Small pinpoint hemorrhages due to capillary pressure increase, indicative of asphyxia.

Question 48

How do internal neck injuries in hanging indicate manner of death?

Answer 48

Consistent injuries with ligature position support hanging diagnosis over other asphyxia types.

Question 49

What does fluidity of pulmonary blood signify in hanging autopsy?

Answer 49

Indicates venous congestion typical of asphyxial deaths.

Question 50

Describe common signs of pulmonary edema in hanging.

Answer 50

Lungs show fluid buildup due to blood pooling from restricted circulation.

Question 51

What conditions can complicate the autopsy of a hanging victim?

Answer 51

Secondary infections, edema, aspiration pneumonia can delay death and complicate findings.

Question 52

Explain 'drag marks' as a possible homicide sign in hanging.

Answer 52

Marks indicating the body was moved to the hanging site, suggesting staging.

Question 53

How is the internal examination of ligature marks conducted?

Answer 53

Analyzing tissue compression, white shiny appearance, and depth of ligature indentation.