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Histopathology > Autopsy Of Hanging > Flashcards

Autopsy Of Hanging Flashcards

1
Q

Define asphyxia in a forensic context.

A

Condition with severely deficient oxygen supply due to inability to breathe normally.

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2
Q

List the main motives or types of hanging.

A

Judicial execution, suicide, accidental (e.g., sexual experimentation), homicide.

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3
Q

Describe complete hanging.

A

Suspension from a high point; the body hangs freely with feet unsupported, full body weight acting as constricting force.

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4
Q

Differentiate complete hanging from partial hanging.

A

Complete: body hangs freely; Partial: body is partially supported, with feet or knees touching the ground.

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5
Q

Explain typical hanging and its distinguishing feature.

A

Knot over the nape of the neck, ligature runs symmetrically along sides of neck.

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6
Q

What is the pole method of hanging?

A

Person attached to a pole by neck and chest, then dropped to induce hanging.

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7
Q

Describe progression of hanging symptoms.

A

Loss of power, ringing in ears, loss of consciousness, convulsive movements in judicial hanging.

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8
Q

What is the typical heartbeat duration after hanging?

A

Heart continues to beat for about 10-15 minutes post-asphyxia.

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9
Q

Explain the mechanism of asphyxia in hanging.

A

Ligature compresses larynx, trachea, tongue, and epiglottis, blocking the airway.

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10
Q

What causes venous congestion in hanging?

A

Jugular veins compressed by ligature, stopping cerebral circulation and causing rapid head venous pressure rise.

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11
Q

Define cerebral anemia in hanging.

A

Compression of neck arteries leading to brain oxygen deprivation and immediate coma.

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12
Q

What tension is needed to block carotid arteries in hanging?

A

A tension of 4-5 kg.

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13
Q

How does reflex vagal inhibition contribute to death in hanging?

A

Pressure on vagal sheath or carotid bodies can inhibit heart function and lead to cardiac arrest.

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14
Q

What conditions cause immediate death in hanging?

A

Cervical vertebral fracture or cardiac inhibition.

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15
Q

List delayed complications leading to death after hanging.

A

Aspiration pneumonia, lung edema, hypoxic encephalopathy, brain infarction, brain abscess, cerebral softening.

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16
Q

Identify six primary causes of death in hanging.

A

Asphyxia, cerebral anoxia, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrest, cervical fracture, jugular vein closure.

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17
Q

Why is the ligature mark important in a hanging autopsy?

A

Helps analyze hanging type, body suspension degree, knot position, and time body was suspended.

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18
Q

Describe typical external signs of hanging.

A

Ligature impression, abrasions, ecchymosis, cyanotic face, protruding eyes and tongue, clenched hands, erect penis.

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19
Q

What changes occur in compressed tissues beneath the ligature?

A

Appear white and shiny, indicating constriction.

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20
Q

List common internal signs in hanging.

A

Compressed tissues, tongue against pharynx, possible hyoid bone fracture, congested mucosa.

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21
Q

How is hanging confirmed as the cause of death?

A

Ligature marks, abrasions, saliva dribbling, carotid intima rupture, post-mortem asphyxia signs.

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22
Q

Describe saliva dribbling in hanging.

A

Saliva drips from mouth opposite knot position, indicating ante-mortem reaction due to submandibular gland irritation.

23
Q

What causes ecchymosis around the ligature mark?

A

Small blood extravasations due to ligature constriction pre-mortem, not always present in hanging cases.

24
Q

What is the significance of carotid artery intima rupture?

A

Conclusive evidence of ante-mortem hanging.

25
Q

List classical signs of asphyxia.

A

Cyanosis, congestion, fluid blood, pulmonary edema, petechial hemorrhages, stasis hemorrhages, cardiac arrest.

26
Q

What does venous engorgement indicate in hanging?

A

Significant venous buildup in venae cavae, neck veins, and pulmonary artery, indicative of asphyxia.

27
Q

What is Tardieu’s sign?

A

Hemorrhages in connective tissue around aorta, esophagus, and pleura, common in asphyxiation deaths.

28
Q

What are subpleural ecchymoses?

A

Hemorrhages under the pleura, often seen in asphyxial deaths like hanging.

29
Q

What characterizes fluid blood in hanging autopsy?

A

Dark-colored and lacks typical clotting, common in asphyxiation cases.

30
Q

What is hypostasis and where is it commonly observed in hanging?

A

Postmortem pooling of blood, often seen in lower limbs and body’s caudal half.

31
Q

What does clenched hands signify in hanging autopsy?

A

A common sign due to muscle spasms or reflex action near time of death.

32
Q

Describe hyoid bone status in hanging autopsies.

A

Can be fractured due to ligature force, though this is less frequent in younger individuals.

33
Q

What role does saliva play in determining the timing of death in hanging?

A

Ante-mortem saliva dribbling suggests life was present at the time of ligature compression.

34
Q

What internal organ changes are indicative of hanging?

A

Engorged right heart, empty left heart, dark fluid blood in venae cavae.

35
Q

How does cervical fracture affect rapidity of death in hanging?

A

A fracture causes instant spinal cord damage, leading to immediate death.

36
Q

What diagnostic signs differentiate hanging from strangulation?

A

Presence of ligature mark, upward rope movement in suicide, saliva trickling opposite to knot.

37
Q

Describe the neck appearance in judicial versus suicidal hanging.

A

Judicial: symmetrical ligature; Suicidal: typically asymmetric depending on knot position.

38
Q

What postmortem findings might suggest homicide over suicide in hanging?

A

Fibers from ligature not on victim’s hands, drag marks, upward rope movement from below.

39
Q

Why is neck ligature mark direction important?

A

Indicates the direction of rope movement; upward in homicide, downward in suicide.

40
Q

What is fluidity of blood in autopsy and its implication?

A

Blood remains fluid due to lack of circulation; signifies asphyxia as cause of death.

41
Q

How does the long drop hanging method work?

A

Measures rope slack for calculated neck breakage to prevent decapitation.

42
Q

What is vagal inhibition in hanging and its effect?

A

Pressure on vagal nerve can trigger cardiac arrest, a common cause of immediate death.

43
Q

Explain why saliva often drools opposite the knot in hanging.

A

Ligature pressure stimulates salivary glands; gravity directs saliva away from knot.

44
Q

How does cyanosis present in hanging cases?

A

Skin appears blue due to oxygen deprivation, commonly seen in facial and neck areas.

45
Q

Why are hyoid fractures more common in older individuals?

A

Bone density increases with age, making bones less pliable and more likely to fracture.

46
Q

Describe the appearance of the carotid arteries in hanging autopsy.

A

Can show intimal rupture from ligature pressure, indicating ante-mortem hanging.

47
Q

What does petechial hemorrhage indicate in hanging?

A

Small pinpoint hemorrhages due to capillary pressure increase, indicative of asphyxia.

48
Q

How do internal neck injuries in hanging indicate manner of death?

A

Consistent injuries with ligature position support hanging diagnosis over other asphyxia types.

49
Q

What does fluidity of pulmonary blood signify in hanging autopsy?

A

Indicates venous congestion typical of asphyxial deaths.

50
Q

Describe common signs of pulmonary edema in hanging.

A

Lungs show fluid buildup due to blood pooling from restricted circulation.

51
Q

What conditions can complicate the autopsy of a hanging victim?

A

Secondary infections, edema, aspiration pneumonia can delay death and complicate findings.

52
Q

Explain ‘drag marks’ as a possible homicide sign in hanging.

A

Marks indicating the body was moved to the hanging site, suggesting staging.

53
Q

How is the internal examination of ligature marks conducted?

A

Analyzing tissue compression, white shiny appearance, and depth of ligature indentation.

Histopathology (10 decks)

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