Hanging is asphyxiation by strangulation using a line of rope, cord, or similar material to work against the hanging weight of the body. Hanging is most often suicidal. But sometimes it is accidental. A person does not have to be fully suspended to hang. Hanging may occur if a victim jumps or is pushed from a height while tied by a line to a rafter or a tree limb. If the height is more than just a few feet, the victim's neck may break. At the scene you must check the beam or rafter over which the line is laid for marks showing the direction of travel of the line. You may want to remove the line for inspection. The hanging line must be checked in a laboratory to learn if it pulled against the weight of the body. Inspect the scene for signs of a fight and signs of defensive marks or rope burns. But keep in mind that an unconscious victim may convulse, knocking over items in the immediate area. When you take down the body, do not untie the knots. The type of knot may give you a lead to follow. Remove the hanging line from the victim's neck by cutting the line on the side opposite to the knot. Make a careful inspection of the groove around the neck. A close look at the edges of the groove will often show black and blue marks from minute bleeding. Ruptured blood vessels in the skin mean the victim was alive at the time of the hanging. But the lack of these marks does not necessarily mean the victim was dead at the time of hanging. Combined with other conditions, however, it could raise suspicions. Note the position of the groove as it relates to the location of the knot. The mark of the ligature should agree with the location of the knot. For example, if the knot is in front of the face, the deepest part of the groove should be on the nape of the neck. Anything different suggests homicide.
When a fixed knot is used in hanging, the groove will form an inverted V on the side of the knot. The bruise on the skin in the groove is greatest opposite the knot. It tapers off as it reaches the knot. If a slip knot is used, the groove may be uniform around the neck. If the victim is nude, suspended before a mirror, or suspended in an unusual manner, or if any of these conditions are combined, you may suspect an accidental hanging from sexual activity. Accidental deaths may occur from autoerotic sexual acts using restraints like ropes, cords, chains, and handcuffs. The victim, trying to reach sexual peak, uses these items to restrain his or her hands, arms, legs, and neck. When strain on the neck causes unconsciousness or when the victim loses balance during the act, accidents occur. The victims are unable to release themselves because of the binding on their hands, arms, and legs. They may end by hanging themselves. Sometimes, when they use binding material or plastic bags on their faces, they suffocate. Erotic material is often present. In the past, these deaths were often incorrectly labeled suicides. Other accidental hangings differ from autoerotic deaths in the lack of female attire, erotic material, or constrained hands or feet. For no known reason, young children, especially boys, will put nooses around their necks. They too may strangle to death.
Hanging is asphyxiation by strangulation using a line of rope, cord, or similar material to work against the hanging weight of the body. Hanging is most often suicidal. But sometimes it is accidental. A person does not have to be fully suspended to hang. Hanging may occur if a victim jumps or is pushed from a height while tied by a line to a rafter or a tree limb. If the height is more than just a few feet, the victim's neck may break. At the scene you must check the beam or rafter over which the line is laid for marks showing the direction of travel of the line. You may want to remove the line for inspection. The hanging line must be checked in a laboratory to learn if it pulled against the weight of the body. Inspect the scene for signs of a fight and signs of defensive marks or rope burns. But keep in mind that an unconscious victim may convulse, knocking over items in the immediate area. When you take down the body, do not untie the knots. The type of knot may give you a lead to follow. Remove the hanging line from the victim's neck by cutting the line on the side opposite to the knot. Make a careful inspection of the groove around the neck. A close look at the edges of the groove will often show black and blue marks from minute bleeding. Ruptured blood vessels in the skin mean the victim was alive at the time of the hanging. But the lack of these marks does not necessarily mean the victim was dead at the time of hanging. Combined with other conditions, however, it could raise suspicions. Note the position of the groove as it relates to the location of the knot. The mark of the ligature should agree with the location of the knot. For example, if the knot is in front of the face, the deepest part of the groove should be on the nape of the neck. Anything different suggests homicide.