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Bowel wall hemorrhage after death by hanging
Friedrich Schulz1, Hansjörg Schäfer, Klaus Püschel
1Department of Forensic Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|January 12, 2011
Summary
Autopsy revealed bowel wall hemorrhage in 12% of suicidal hanging deaths. This finding, potentially caused by abdominal congestion during a prolonged agonal phase, may indicate vital signs during hanging.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Pathology
Background:
- Bowel wall hemorrhage is a potential autopsy finding.
- Suicidal hanging is a common cause of death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and potential causes of bowel wall hemorrhage in cases of suicidal hanging.
- To evaluate bowel wall hemorrhage as a potential indicator of vital signs during hanging.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy examination of cases of suicidal death by hanging.
- Histopathological analysis of bowel tissue.
- Correlation of findings with clinical data, including the duration of the agonal phase.
Main Results:
- Intramural hemorrhages in the bowel wall were observed in approximately 12% of the examined cases.
- No pre-existing bowel diseases were identified in the affected cases.
- A longer agonal phase in hanging deaths was associated with abdominal congestion, providing a pathophysiological explanation.
Conclusions:
- Bowel wall hemorrhage can occur in suicidal hanging deaths, likely due to abdominal congestion during a prolonged agonal phase.
- While not a mandatory finding, bowel wall hemorrhage may serve as an additional indicator of vital hanging, pending differential diagnostic considerations.
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