Pattern of Fatal Compression of the Neck-A Five Year Study in Lahore

Abstract

This is a five-year study to know the pattern of deaths due to compression of the neck in our country. Out of a total of 4833 autopsies, 91 cases of fatal compression of the neck were selected and studied regarding Age, Sex, Type of compression of neck, Manner of death, Level of ligature mark, Presence of non-specific signs of asphyxia and Fracture of hyoid bone. Cases in which the cause of death was other than compression of the neck were excluded from the study. Cases of fatal compression of neck constituted 1.88% of all autopsies conducted during 1984-1989 at K. E. Medical College, Lahore. Hanging constituted 57%, Ligature strangulation 21%, Throttling 18%, and Compression by other means 4%of the total cases. Victims were primarily 11-30 years of age (67%) and predominantly males with a male to female ratio of 2:1.Fracture of the hyoid bone is twice as likely to occur in those above 40 years of age in deaths due to compression of neck.