A homicide by suspension

Abstract

Hanging is one of the commonest medico-legal entities that a forensic pathologist may come across and is almost always a suicide. We report a case of homicide by hanging, masquerading as a sudden death, where a 32-year-old man was hanged by his wife, helped by her boyfriend, who nearly escaped from the grip of the law. The autopsy findings were almost in keeping with that of a suicidal suspension except for the small contusion in the inner aspect of the lower lip and multiple abrasions in the lower part of the legs, which were due to the struggle and terminal asphyxial movements. Furthermore, the victim was under the influence of alcohol, which is usually expected in a case of this nature.