LIGATURE MARK ON THE NECK

HOW ELUCIDATIVE?

Abstract

Introduction: There are three types of compression of neck which are of prime
forensic importance – (1) Manual strangulation (2) Hanging (3) Ligature strangulation. Ligature
mark is found in the latter two types.1 Ligature mark is a pressure mark on the neck underneath
the ligature. Initially it appears as a pale groove which on drying becomes yellowish brown
parchment like.2,5 Objective: The aim is to study the information provided by a ligature mark
in ligature asphyxial deaths. Methodology: Study Design: A retrospective study on ligature
asphyxial deaths. Setting: Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Departments of King Edward
Medical University, Lahore and Nishtar Medical College, Multan. Period: January, 2012 to
December, 2013. Results: The incidence of violent ligature asphyxial deaths was 4.21% of the
total medicolegal deaths autopsied. Age group 21 to 30 years accounted for the maximum
cases (37.6%). Male: female ratio was 1.02. Nylon rope (44.7%) was the most common ligature
material used. Ligature mark was single in all cases and was situated above thyroid cartilage in
82.92% cases of hanging. In ligature strangulation deaths, mark was one in number in 93.18%
cases and was below thyroid cartilage in 97.72% cases. The manner of death in hanging
was mostly suicidal (90.24%) as compared to homicidal in all cases of ligature strangulation.
Ligature mark was incompletely encircling the neck in 85.36% cases and obliquely present in
100% cases of hanging. In all deaths due to ligature strangulation, it was completely encircling
and transversely present around the neck. Underlying soft tissues of neck were glistening
white in all hanging deaths while it showed extravasations of blood in all ligature strangulation
cases. Conclusions: A meticulous examination of the ligature mark during autopsy, though not
conclusive, can give valuable information that can be very helpful in diagnosing deaths due to
hanging and ligature strangulation.