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A case of suicidal ligature strangulation

1983; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 4; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00000433-198312000-00014

1533-404X

Marilee Frazer, Sharon Rosenberg,

Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse

The following report describes a suicidal death in a 53-year-old white male utilizing ligature strangulation. The elements of the procedure used by the decedent were: 1) successive wrapping of a twine around his neck (35 circumferences) while pulling the rope taut, 2) tying a knot and manually applying further tension, and 3) bending forward to increase the neck circumference further increasing the constrictive effect of the twine. Normally, self-ligature strangulation is prevented as the individual becomes unconscious as the venous circulation is obstructed, leading to relaxation of the ligature tension. In this case, the successive layers of twine provided gradually applied tension, and the action of bending forward caused further constriction which would only increase as the decedent lapsed into unconsciousness and continued to fall forward. A history of recent depression supported suicide as the manner of death. Accidental autocrotic death was ruled out as the manner of death by lack of secne evidence, and the rarity of that event in an elderly male.