[Modern variant of hanging: use of a time-programmed winch]

Hanging is one of the most frequent types of suicide. Descriptions of unusual ligatures can be read about again and again. The paper reports the suicide of a 41-year-old electrician, who, using an electric winch, hung himself in nearly free suspension. The winch that was secured to the timberwork of the attic had been programmed by an electric time clock, the toggle switch of the remote control was fixed in the on-position using adhesive tape. The man had handcuffed his hands behind his back against any attempts to save himself. The noose was partly cushioned with a bike tube with the obvious aim of reducing the pain. Due to the state, in which he was found and the results of the post-mortem examination, a third party responsibility was excluded. The case shows that not only certain types of knots and nooses can be associated with various occupational groups, but the choice of a special strangulation device can possibly also come from the occupational sphere. As a modern variation of hanging, the presented casuistry can partly complete the familiar documentation of historical cases with the use of block and tackle and similar constructions.