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    Suicide or Homicide: Case Report

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    Suvedhya Reddy

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    Suicide or Homicide: Case Report

    Uploaded by

    Suvedhya Reddy
    582 views3 pages

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    JFSCI.MS.ID.555615

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    582 views3 pages

    Suicide or Homicide: Case Report

    Uploaded by

    Suvedhya Reddy

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    The key takeaways are that hanging cases require thorough examination of the crime scene and autopsy findings to determine if it was a suicide, homicide or accident.

    The observations made at the crime scene included the hanging material having no signs of a noose or knot, and it not being possible to reach the height of the ceiling fan. This suggested the hanging was not possible as claimed.

    The autopsy findings included a distinct cut mark on the chin and a ligature mark on the neck that did not correspond to the thickness of the alleged hanging material. Internal examination showed signs of strangulation.

    Case Report J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves

    Volume - 3 Issue - 2 June 2017


    DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2017.03.555615 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Ajitesh Pal

    Suicide or Homicide

    Ajitesh Pal*and HK Pratihari


    Tripura State Forensic Science Laboratory, Agartala, India
    Submission: May 17, 2017; Published: June 21, 2017
    *Corresponding author: Ajitesh Pal, Tripura State Forensic Science Laboratory, Agartala, Pin-799015, India Email:

    Abstract

    Suicide by hanging is very alarming in India. As per report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Government of India, quite good
    number of hanging cases is reported every year. Most of the hanging cases are commonly suicidal. Homicidal case subsequently creating a
    scene of hanging is extremely rare. In order to distinguish between suicidal/homicidal hanging, the examination of crime scene on various
    key points in undisturbed condition followed by autopsy study is necessary to discover the real fact. In one case, a house wife age about 19
    year allegedly committed suicide by hanging being claimed by her husband. Observation on crime scene, hanging victim, hanging material
    (wearing apparel) and findings of PM report have been discussed in this paper. The analysis could prove the homicide victim was strangulated
    and claim of suicidal hanging was discarded.

    Keywords: Crime scene; Suicidal hanging; Strangulation; Ligature mark; Hanging material

    Introduction
    to ascertain the cause of death in complicated, suspicious
    As per report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB),
    hanging cases.
    Government of India 1,31,666 persons committed suicide by
    various means and 41.8% is contributed by suicidal hanging in Case Report
    2013 [1]. Such cases are thoroughly investigated by the police
    One day at about mid night a house wife was alleged to have
    along with forensic team and medico-legal experts. The victim
    committed suicide in one room inside the house of her father-in-
    when found hanging initially throws a question “Is it suicide or
    law. The wearing apparel was said to be used as hanging material
    homicide or accidental?” The observation of the crime scene
    tied from ceiling fan. It was reported that the body was removed
    in hanging cases in undisturbed condition is very important to
    from hanging position and kept down to provide medical aid.
    discover the possible cause of death [2-4]. The following key
    points are to be followed for proper investigation of the crime Observations
    scene: (Figures 1- 4).
    a) Detailed investigation of crime scene

    b) Recording of complete series of photographs

    c) Examination of scene of hanging (in undisturbed


    condition) and post analysis of hanging features

    d) Examination of rope and direction of fibers

    e) Examination of loop, noose, knot and cut mark

    f) Examination of the hanging material other than rope

    g) Examination of fixing position of hanging material


    (point of suspension)

    In addition to crime scene study on different key points,


    Figures 1: Victim lying on the floor showing sharp ligature mark.
    inquest of the deceased followed with autopsy study are helpful

    J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves 3(2): JFSCI.MS.ID.555615 (2017) 001


    Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation

    mark showing partial circumference of the neck. The hanging


    material said to be used was kept aside having no sign of cut
    mark/noose and knot on it. Moreover, possibility of reaching the
    height of ceiling fan (8 feet 2 inch from bed) to tie the hanging
    material was ruled out in absence of supportive tools. Further,
    the dust deposited on the ceiling fan was also seen undisturbed
    without any damage to fan blades due to weight of the victim.
    The observation strongly suggested hanging was not possible by
    tying the hanging material to the ceiling fan fitted beyond reach.
    The circumstantial physical evidence clearly indicated a case of
    homicide and sent the victim for autopsy study to confirm the
    actual cause of death.

    Post Mortem Study


    Figures 2: Front side of the neck showing thin, sharp and partial
    ligature mark (5mm width). External: Autopsy study was conducted within 12 hours
    after death. The deceased was about 19 year, weighing 49kg and
    height 5 foot. Both the legs were straight and the right upper limb
    flexed. The neck was not stretched and the eyes were partially
    open. A distinct small cut mark was present over the chin. One
    brownish colored grooved ligature mark having width 5mm was
    present over the thyroid cartilage and it was horizontal extending
    up to the middle part of sternocleidomasteroid muscle. Ligature
    mark was prominent at the front in a direction of hyoid bone.

    Internal: The walls, ribs, cartilages, pleurae of thorax


    were found intact. The larynx, trachea, right, left lungs, vessels
    of thorax were congested. The stomach was found normal
    containing some food material. The liver was congested and
    spleen, kidneys, bladder and the sex organs were normal. No
    Figures 3: Bedroom showing the position of ceiling fan alleged injury and fracture were detected on the bones, muscles and
    to be the point of suspension. joints. Toxicological analysis of viscera and body fluid ruled out
    the presence of poison and drug.

    Conclusion
    Initially the case was claimed to be a suicidal hanging by the
    husband of the victim. On analysis of scene of crime and victim,
    it was suspected to be mysterious and doubtful. Moreover,
    the ligature mark on the neck does not correspond with the
    thickness of hanging material. However, based on circumstantial
    evidence and autopsy findings of the deceased, it is confirmed
    the death was due to strangulation and ruled out the possibility
    of suicidal hanging/poisoning.

    References
    1. National Crime Records Bureau Government of India. Crime in India:
    Figures 4: Hanging material (wearing apparel) without noose 2014 Statistics. Ministry of Home Affairs.
    and knot, alleged to be used for hanging. 2. Das SK, Chattopadhya (2009) S. Hanging or strangling? A case report of
    suicidal hanging without knot at the neck. J. Indian Acad forensic Med
    Discussion 31(4): 373-376.

    Crime Spot analysis 3. Nandy A (2003) Principles of forensic medicine. (2nd edn). New central
    Book Agency pp, Calcutta, India.
    After having FIR (First Information Report) related to suicidal
    4. Simounet C, Bourgeois M (1992) Suicides and attempted suicides by
    hanging, the investigating officer and forensic team visited the hanging. Ann Med Psychol 150: 481-485.
    crime spot to assess the circumstances. It was observed that
    the hanging victim was down and she had sign of thin ligature

    002 How to cite this article: Ajitesh P, H Pratihari. Suicide or Homicide. J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves. 2017; 3(2): 555615. DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2017.03.555615.
    Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation

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    003 How to cite this article: Ajitesh P, H Pratihari. Suicide or Homicide. J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves. 2017; 3(2): 555615. DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2017.03.555615.

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