[Thyroglobulin content of the blood in cases of hanging]

Thyroglobulin (Tg) was determined in serum of heart blood from the bodies of 24 people who had died by hanging. In contrast to cases of sudden death (Tg 22.7 +/- 13.5 ng/ml) the Tg values varied over a wide range (from 12 to more than 400 ng/ml). The highest concentrations were observed in cases of incomplete suspension, e.g. hanging in a sitting or semi-reclining posture. We conclude that the duration of the death agony has an influence on the Tg level in serum. Except of diseases of the thyroid gland (carcinoma, adenoma) a high level of Tg in serum may be a helpful adjunct in the diagnosis of mechanical forces to the neck region inflicted before death.