[Hanging with decapitation. Case report--biomechanics]

We report on a 52-year-old man who committed suicide by jumping in a 380 cm long rope with a diameter of 12 mm. The loading forces resulted in complete decapitation. Our biomechanical experiments show that traction-forces of about 12000 Newton lead to complete decapitation irrespectively of the diameter of the used halter. The biomechanical results made it possible to show the possible fall-hights in dependence upon bodymass and distance of negative acceleration "s" graphically. The curves are valid for a constant deceleration during the distance "s", which is determined by lengthening of the rope and circumference of the neck.