There are several photos of suicide by hanging shown in the Death Scenes book, I have included a few that I have colorized.
Hanging is a form of asphyxiation that typically results in death by either strangulation or a sudden disruption to the cervical spine (neck). When someone is hanged, a noose or other ligature is placed around the neck, and the person’s body weight applies pressure to the windpipe (trachea), major blood vessels, and nerves in the neck. This pressure can prevent oxygen from reaching the brain and block the flow of blood, leading to unconsciousness and death.
There are two primary ways hanging kills someone:
Asphyxiation: In most cases, the airway is compressed, leading to a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). When the brain is deprived of oxygen, it takes only a few minutes for unconsciousness to occur, followed by brain damage and death if the oxygen supply is not restored. Additionally, compression of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, can cause rapid loss of consciousness. Death through asphyxiation usually occurs within 10 to 15 minutes if the victim is not rescued.
Spinal Cord Injury: In some instances, especially in judicial or long-drop hangings, the force of the drop can fracture the vertebrae in the neck (usually between the second and third vertebrae) and sever the spinal cord. This type of injury, known as a "hangman's fracture," leads to immediate paralysis of the diaphragm and other muscles necessary for breathing, causing almost instant death.
As for the appearance of the body, there are several characteristic signs of death by hanging. Ligature marks or bruising from the noose are often visible around the neck, typically forming a V-shape where the knot of the noose rested. The skin may be abraded or discolored. If death occurred by asphyxiation, the face might appear congested, with a darkened or purplish hue due to the pooling of blood (livor mortis). There can be petechial hemorrhages, which are tiny red or purple spots caused by bursting blood vessels in the eyes and face due to the increased pressure.
In cases of death by hanging, several physiological reactions commonly occur, including the protrusion of the tongue and the involuntary release of bodily functions. These reactions are due to the loss of control over the body's muscles and nerves once the brain and spinal cord are compromised.
Tongue Protrusion: The pressure applied by the noose on the neck can cause the tongue to swell and protrude from the mouth. This happens because of the compression of the blood vessels and nerves in the neck, leading to congestion of blood and fluid in the face, mouth, and tongue. The degree to which the tongue protrudes varies depending on how long the person was suspended and the tightness of the noose, but it is a common feature in asphyxiation cases.
Release of Bowel and Bladder Functions: During or shortly after death, the body loses control over the muscles responsible for regulating bowel and bladder functions. This is known as post-mortem incontinence and often occurs in hangings. The lack of brain function and control over the sphincter muscles results in the involuntary release of urine and feces. This is a natural part of the body shutting down and can happen to both men and women.
Differences in Men and Women: While the basic physiological effects of hanging, such as asphyxiation, tongue protrusion, and loss of muscle control, are largely the same in men and women, there can be a few gender-specific differences:
In men, hanging may lead to priapism (an erection) due to the pooling of blood and the sudden pressure on the blood vessels in the lower body. This is a result of the spinal reflexes being triggered by the pressure on the neck and spinal cord.
In women, there are generally no specific external physiological changes unique to their gender in cases of hanging, but post-mortem incontinence may also involve the release of menstrual blood if the woman was menstruating at the time of death.
In cases where the person struggled, there might be evidence of self-inflicted injuries on the neck or fingers as they tried to free themselves. Rigor mortis, the stiffening of the body after death, can also set in relatively quickly due to the nature of hanging. Depending on the duration of hanging before discovery, livor mortis (the pooling of blood in the lower parts of the body) may be pronounced, causing the lower extremities to turn a darker color.
Overall, while the effects of hanging manifest similarly in both men and women, the key differences are more related to specific physiological reflexes, such as priapism in men. Both sexes are subject to the same core effects: lack of oxygen to the brain, loss of muscle control, and the characteristic physical changes associated with death by hanging. The appearance of the body depends on whether death occurred by asphyxiation or spinal cord injury, but the signs of oxygen deprivation, ligature marks, and blood pooling are the most consistent physical indicators.
Homicide or Suicide?
Determining whether a hanging was a suicide or a murder requires a careful forensic investigation of the scene, the body, and the circumstances surrounding the death. Several key indicators help forensic experts, law enforcement, and medical examiners distinguish between a suicidal hanging and one that might involve foul play.
Position and Condition of the Body: In most cases of suicide by hanging, the body will be found in a position where the individual is suspended from a fixed point, such as a beam, a doorknob, or a tree. The victim's feet may or may not be touching the ground, and the noose is often tied in a way that allows the person to exert their own body weight to create the lethal pressure on the neck. The presence of a chair, ladder, or other object the individual may have used to step off of is also a clue pointing to suicide. In contrast, if a person is murdered by hanging, the body may be positioned unnaturally, or signs of a struggle may be visible in the form of defensive wounds, such as cuts or bruises on the hands, arms, or face.
Ligature Marks and Noose Construction: Careful examination of the ligature marks on the neck can reveal important clues. In a suicide, the noose is usually self-tied, often with a slipknot or simple loop that tightens as the person’s body weight pulls downward. The ligature mark typically forms a V-shape and follows the path of the rope, with the highest point near the knot. In a murder, the ligature may be applied more forcefully, leading to deeper, irregular bruising or marks inconsistent with how the body is positioned. The placement of the knot is also important: in a suicide, it is often placed on the side or the back of the neck, depending on the individual’s ability to reach and tie it, while in homicides, it may be in an unusual or mechanically unlikely position.
Signs of a Struggle: Suicidal hangings generally lack signs of a struggle, as the individual voluntarily places themselves in the noose. There may be slight abrasions or bruising on the neck, but no evidence of a fight. In a murder, however, the victim may resist, leading to defensive wounds such as bruises, scratches, or broken nails. These signs suggest that the person fought against their attacker. Additionally, in a murder, there might be disarray or evidence of a struggle at the scene, such as overturned furniture, broken items, or other disturbances that point to foul play.
Toxicology and Autopsy Findings: A toxicology report can provide critical information about whether the victim was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of death, which might suggest they were incapacitated and unable to defend themselves if foul play was involved. In a suicidal hanging, the injuries are typically limited to the neck, with no significant trauma to other parts of the body. If the autopsy reveals other injuries—such as blunt force trauma, fractures, or internal bleeding unrelated to the hanging—this may point to homicide.
Circumstantial Evidence and Psychological State: The investigation will also consider the person’s mental and emotional state prior to the incident. A history of depression, suicidal ideation, or personal circumstances like financial trouble, relationship issues, or a recent loss could support the conclusion of suicide. Investigators will also look for a suicide note, though the absence of one does not necessarily indicate foul play. On the other hand, suspicious behavior by individuals close to the victim, inconsistent witness statements, or the discovery of personal conflicts may lead investigators to suspect homicide.
By analyzing these physical and circumstantial factors, investigators can build a clearer picture of whether the hanging was a self-inflicted act or if foul play was involved. In cases of suicide, the physical evidence typically points to a lack of struggle and self-application of the noose, while murders often show signs of force, struggle, or inconsistent ligature marks that raise suspicion.
Instant Regret:
If a person hangs themselves as a suicidal act but then experiences regret and attempts to struggle free, several physiological factors come into play that make escape difficult, if not impossible. The human body reacts quickly to the lack of oxygen (hypoxia), and depending on how the noose is applied, the person may lose consciousness rapidly. However, there is a brief window during which they may try to fight back and free themselves before succumbing to the effects of the hanging.
1. Struggling Against the Noose:
When someone attempts to free themselves, they may instinctively try to grasp the noose or rope with their hands. However, the tightness of the noose, combined with the downward pressure from their body weight, can make it extremely difficult to loosen. A slipknot or loop tightens further with movement, worsening the constriction on the neck. Even if the person tries to pull the noose away or shift their body weight to alleviate the pressure, the noose often tightens more, accelerating the choking or blocking of blood flow.
2. Rapid Loss of Consciousness:
As the noose compresses the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and the jugular veins, which carry blood away, blood flow is quickly restricted. Within seconds, this can lead to faintness or dizziness, and unconsciousness can occur within 10 to 15 seconds. Once unconsciousness sets in, the person loses all ability to fight back or escape. The pressure on the trachea, which blocks the airway, also prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs and brain, compounding the problem. Once deprived of oxygen, brain cells begin to die within minutes, leading to irreversible damage or death if the pressure is not relieved.
3. Physical Limitations in Struggling:
Even if the person remains conscious for a short time, the body's natural panic response—kicking, thrashing, or flailing—often exacerbates the situation. The physical struggle increases the tension on the ligature, making it even harder to loosen or escape. Additionally, as oxygen deprivation continues, the muscles become weaker, coordination deteriorates, and the ability to perform any fine motor skills, such as untying the knot, diminishes rapidly.
4. Signs of a Struggle:
If the individual struggles before losing consciousness, their actions can leave telltale signs. There may be abrasions or bruises on the neck from pulling at the rope, and sometimes fingernail marks or scratches from where they tried to loosen the ligature. Additionally, the person's body position might shift during the struggle, but without outside intervention, the outcome is typically fatal due to the rapid onset of unconsciousness and inability to free themselves in time.
5. Faint Hope of Survival:
In rare cases where the person is rescued quickly, such as by someone entering the room within seconds of the act, there may be a chance of survival if the noose is removed, and the airway is cleared immediately. However, even a short period of hanging can lead to brain damage, depending on how long the brain has been deprived of oxygen. Immediate resuscitation efforts, such as CPR, can sometimes reverse the effects if intervention occurs within a very narrow window of time.
In summary, once a person hangs themselves and regrets the decision, their ability to escape diminishes rapidly due to the mechanical constraints of the noose, the immediate effects of oxygen deprivation, and the loss of consciousness. Though a brief struggle may occur, it is typically futile without outside intervention due to the speed with which the body succumbs to asphyxiation or the loss of blood flow to the brain.
Suicide prevention
Suicide is not the answer. If you are experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis or are concerned for someone else, please contact your local suicide prevention hotline.
🇺🇸 US ☎︎ 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
🇨🇦 CA ☎︎ 1-833-456-4566
🇬🇧 UK ☎︎ 0800-689-5652
🇦🇺 AUS ☎︎ 13-11-14 or 1300-659-467
ROK ROK ☎︎ 1393
🇩🇪 DE ☎︎ 0800-111-0-111
🇪🇸 ES ☎︎ 024
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