Attached
Garroting is a particular form of asphyxia whereby a restrictive band, cord or other piece of
material is placed around the victim’s neck and then tightened manually by means of a stick,
rod, pole or other similar object.
Case Report
A fresh body of a 79 year old male was
found in his room with a ligature round
his neck and a polyvinyl chkmde(PVC)
pipeplaced inside the noose, along with
a suicide note. According to the history
the deceased was a retired carpenter,
who has been bed ridden for more than
one year after an accidental fall. He has
only taken indigenous medicine and
has refused to be treated by doctors.
Autopsy revealed a tightly placed
ligature horizontally encircling the
upper part of the neck, a PVC pipe used for plumbing inserted inside the noose from the back
which was twisted several times to further tighten the noose. Marked oedema, congestion,
cyanosis and ecchymotic patches were noted above the level of the ligature.The ligature mark
was a parchment-like brown coloured stiff imprint abrasion which horizontally encircling the
neck.All internal structures in the neck
including the hyoid bone, the thyroid
cartilages and the cricoidswere
normal.Hypostasis fixed on the.
posterior aspect of the body except for
the pressure points; was noted. All
internal organs were normal
macroscopically and microscopically.
Toxicology reports for alcohol and
poisons were negative.
Conclusion
In the absence of defense injuries, struggle in the scene, poisons and alcohol and in the
presence of a suicide note it is more suggestive of suicidal garroting.
