Importance of tissue biopsy in suicidal hanging deaths

Abstract

This is a 5-year retrospective study including all autopsy reports of suicidal hanging deaths in Dammam city, Eastern province in Saudi Arabia. Hematoxyline and eosin stain has been used for the microscopic description of the three tissue biopsies that have been selected in this study. Other confirmatory tests have been performed for certain cases, when needed. The total number of cases was 62; 85.5% of the deceased were males, while 15% were females. The majority of cases (53%) were among the age group of 20–30 years. Hemorrhage of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and carotid intimal tear were both found in 90% of cases. Thyroid congestion was detected in 91%, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was diagnosed in 2% of studied cases. The study discusses the importance of biopsy examination in hanging deaths and compares its results with other similar previous studies.

Keywords

• Suicide
• Hanging
• Muscle hemorrhage
• Carotid artery
• Thyroid gland