title: [Hanging with decapitation. Case report--biomechanics].
abstract: We report on a 52-year-old man who committed suicide by jumping in a 380 cm long rope with a diameter of 12 mm. The loading forces resulted in complete decapitation. Our biomechanical experiments show that traction-forces of about 12000 Newton lead to complete decapitation irrespectively of the diameter of the used halter. The biomechanical results made it possible to show the possible fall-hights in dependence upon bodymass and distance of negative acceleration "s" graphically. The curves are valid for a constant deceleration during the distance "s", which is determined by lengthening of the rope and circumference of the neck.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Gerichtliche Medizin, Universität Innsbruck.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rabl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haid
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Katzgraber
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walser
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002423:Cause of Death; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*