A case of suicidal ligature strangulation by using a tourniquet method.
Ligature strangulations are usually homicidal. Accidental and suicidal ligature strangulations are quite rare. In this study, an unusual case of suicidal ligature strangulation with a tourniquet method using a walking stick is presented.A 70-year-old-man was found dead in his room, a piece of cloth wrapped around the neck, knotted, and tightened by a walking stick. His hand was still on the walking stick which was seemingly used by him for a tourniquet effect. Autopsy showed bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle hemorrhage. A thorough death scene investigation, detailed corpse examination, and autopsy are extremely important for determining the manner of death in such ligature strangulation cases.
Atilgan
Mehmet
M
Department of Forensic Medicine, Akdeniz University Medical Faculty, Antalya Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. atilgan@akdeniz.edu.tr
D000368:Aged; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D011693:Purpura / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide; D014111:Tourniquets