Korean J Leg Med.  2016 Nov;40(4):138-141. 10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.4.138.

Case Report of Decapitation in Hanging

• Jang JS
• Yang KM

• KMID: 2361336
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.4.138

Abstract

The authors report two cases of complete decapitation due to hanging. The decapitated body of a 49-year-old man weighing 53 kg was found next to a motel, and the head was 1.2 m away from the body. A rope (length, 3.5 m; diameter, 1.0 cm; nylon rope with a running noose), from the rescue and descent device of the room, was on an exterior wall of the motel. Another decapitated body of a 50-year-old man weighing 74 kg was found floating on the river. The head was found the next day. A rope (length, 7.2 m; diameter, 1.0 cm; nylon rope with a running noose) was tied to a bridge located on the upper side of the river. In both cases, the neck had a sharply demarcated circumferential laceration, similar to that noted in cases of sharp force injury. However, the laceration was formed by Langer's lines, and internal examination revealed findings of overstretching injury and blunt force injury. These cases were determined to be those of complete decapitation due to hanging.

Keyword

Hanging; Decapitation; Suicide

MeSH Terms

Decapitation*
Head
Humans
Lacerations
Middle Aged
Neck
Nylons
Rivers
Running
Suicide
Nylons

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) The head of case 1. The definite ligature mark was around the neck. (B) The body of case 1. Well demarcated band-like abrasion was formed along the laceration. (C) Case 2. Although the skin showed sharp cutting edge, no sharp injury was on superficial muscles. (D) The cut surface of neck internal organs showed irregularity as feature of overstretching injury and blunt force injury.

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