Death by hanging: possibilities and limits of medico-legal evidence

In forensic medicine, hanging is a frequent cause of non-natural death which may pose diagnostic problems on the investigator due to the manifold and sometimes ambiguous autopsy findings. The great variability of appearances potentially impedes the classification as to the manner of death (suicide, accident, homicide). The significance of some signs formerly considered to prove vital suspension could not always be confirmed in more recent studies. Therefore, traditional conception passed on from generation to generation must be critically questioned and, if necessary, replaced by evidence-based knowledge derived from systematic evaluations of relevant case material and laboratory tests, where appropriate. Bearing in mind the numerous possible misinterpretations, a dogmatic view must be avoided in favour of a cautious and holistic assessment. The review presented here provides an overview of problem areas based on the pertinent literature, photographic material of real cases and the authors' professional experience.