NCJ Number
179908
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 2-3 Dated: June-September 1999 Pages: 85-96
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A computer and manual survey of records at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 1990 to 1997 revealed that outdoor suicidal hangings are a common occurrence, particularly in rural areas, and suggested issues related to the decompositional rates and sequences resulting from body suspension over lengthy time periods.
Abstract
The research revealed 478 cases of hanging; the manner of death was suicide in all but 10 cases. Males comprised 83.7 percent of the cases. The numbers of hangings were similar from month to month. Ligatures used included ropes (43.1 percent), extension cords (23.4 percent), clothing and belts (30.3 percent),and other materials. The majority occurred indoors (88.5 percent); the location was a dwelling's basement in 30 percent of the cases. Findings indicated that isolated settings could result in delayed discovery of the body, as well as decomposition of the remains. Three case studies were presented that involved outdoor hangings with extended postmortem intervals of 5 weeks, 16 months, and 10 years, respectively. The last case presented many of the diagnostic elements associated with autoerotic asphyxia, but difficulties existed in differentiating this accidental manner of death from suicide after 10 years of decay of the body and deterioration of the scene. Findings indicated that hangings represent a unique setting and that standards or methods of analysis generated from terrestrial models should be used with caution in cases involving partial to full suspension of the body. Further research is needed on this topic. Tables, figure, photographs, and 39 references (Author abstract modified)