EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILING AND AUTOPSY FINDINGS OF NECK IN SUICIDAL HANGING IN BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA– A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Keywords:
Violent Asphyxia death, Soft & broad ligature material, Complete & Typical hanging, Congestion of laryngeal mucosaAbstract
Hanging is a form of violent asphyxial death and it is the most common mode of suicide in India. This study was conducted in the dept. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. In this study, 45.4 % of victims belongs to the 21-30 years age group. In terms of sex distribution in out of 67 cases 39 were males and 28 were females. Also 62 victims were married. Soft and broad ligature materials like saree, chunni, bedsheets etc were noticed in 36 cases followed by rough and tough ligature materials like plastic rope in 31 cases. 78 % of cases were complete and atypical hanging. Congestion of laryngeal mucosa was present in 46 number of cases. Preventive measures like awareness programs should be there focusing on young married individuals specially males.
References
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Meera T, Singh M. Pattern of neck findings in suicidal Suicide by hanging can be considered as a extreme way of taking own life. In most of the cases location was secluded one and prefer to stay isolated from others which signifies the depressive mindset of the individual. In our study like most of the other studies, the young married individuals in the age group of 21 to 30 years and males were the most common victims. Soft and broad ligature materials like saree etc were the most common ligature material. Neck findings like position and direction of ligature mark, extravasation of blood beneath ligature mark, parchmentization of skin, congestion of laryngeal mucosa along with presence or absence of saliva mark are important clues in making conclusions regarding suicidal hanging. In this rapidly changing world, one should be mentally aware and strong to face the concerned issues. Also from society it is expected that rather blaming someone for their problems it is crucial to show empathy towards them. Though suicide is always a unfortunate and unexpected event, it is important to identify those persons whom may be facing difficulties in their life and guide them appropriately. To conclude, regular counselling and awareness programs regarding prevention of suicide is the need of the hour along with guidance and support of loved ones in managing their problems.
Ethical clearance: Ethical clearance taken from Institution ethical committee of AIIMS Bhubaneswar vide Reference number- IEC/AIIMSBBSR/Project/2017-19/81
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