Association Between Ligature Material, Ligature Mark and Survival Period in Suicidal Hanging Victims: An Autopsy-Based Study

Abstract

Hanging is a quick and very effective method used to commit suicide. The ligature material used for hanging is
one of the important factors that determine the type of ligature mark or the pressure abrasion. Cases were divided
into two groups. Group I included 25 cases of non-survived victims of hanging Group II consisted of 25 cases of
hanging that survived for varying periods before death. Association between ligature material, ligature mark and
survival period in suicidal hanging victims were studied in detail. Victims who used a hard but pliable ligature
material had 13 times more risk of death compared to a victim who used a soft ligature material. A person with a
well-defined ligature mark had 15 times more risk of death when compared to a victim with a faint ligature mark