A profile of hanging deaths admitted to Polokwane and Lebowakgomo forensic pathology service laboratories, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Introduction and background: Hanging deaths contribute to premature mortality locally and globally. Aim: The study aimed to provide a profile of hanging deaths in Polokwane and Lebowakgomo Forensic Pathology Service laboratories in the Limpopo Province. Method: A quantitative retrospective study was conducted using sample size of 141 hanging death victims that were selected using systematic random sampling from hanging deaths admitted to Polokwane and Lebowakgomo Forensic Pathology Service laboratories over a period of 2 years. Results: The study revealed that majority of hanging deaths were adults aged 20-29. There was male predominance and majority of the victims were unemployed. The hanging deaths victims were mostly discovered in the morning and the peak period was over the weekend. The peak season was summer. The post-mortem neck findings included visible ligature mark, located above the thyroid cartilage and there were few associated injuries on the internal neck structures. The alleged manner of death of the cases was predominantly suicide, few of the deaths were homicide hanging deaths and no there were no reported accidental cases. Conclusion: The profile of hanging deaths identified was similar to that of reviewed literature. .