Distinguishing between homicide and suicide knots and ligatures: A comparative analysis of case and survey data

Abstract

Distinguishing between homicides and suicides can be challenging when knots and ligatures are involved. This is particularly true for cases involving decedents who have been bound. If subtle telltales are ignored, foul play may be assumed. In contrast, the discovery of a hanged decedent may lead to a conclusion of suicide. That determination could be premature in the absence of relevant evidence and a thorough analysis of the knots and ligatures. As several authors note, the analysis of equivocal cases must include all collateral evidence, not only the scene evidence but family and decedent history, the overall context, and the death scene circumstances [1-6]. can tying performed by an assailant be distinguished from knots and ligatures tied by decedents on their own bodies? To answer these questions, survey and case data were analyzed and compared to discern any useful differences. These observations were incorporated into a proposed checklist of contrasting characteristics, which will be outlined near the end. 2 | BACKG ROUND AND R ATIONALE In the United Kingdom during the late 1970 s, Underwood investigated an unusual case in which three children were discovered

A rare case of ligature strangulation using a dental unit: Distinguishing suicide from homicide in a death scene investigation

“…Therefore, death from neck compression asphyxiation was likely due to ligature strangulation, which would not have been affected by the weight of the victim, unlike hanging. Second, the position of the knot at the front of the neck was consistent with suicide [12,13].…”

“…Therefore, death from neck compression asphyxiation was likely due to ligature strangulation, which would not have been affected by the weight of the victim, unlike hanging. Second, the position of the knot at the front of the neck was consistent with suicide [12, 13]. The knot around the victim's neck was located between the thyroid cartilage and the mandible, with the noose below the angle of the right mandible.…”

Enforcamento Homicida Mascarado como Suicídio: Revisão Integrativa

“…Chisnall 16 em casos de homicídio e suicídio. Em todos os casos de homicídio as cordas no pescoço estavam extremamente apertadassendo o diâmetro da corda menor que circunferência relaxada do pescoço, e muitas vezes estando a corda incrustada no tecido mole do pescoço.…”

Interpol review of fibres and textiles 2019-2022

“…The second article [ 87 ] proposes a comparative analysis of casework and survey data on the distinguishing between homicide and suicide knots and ligatures. The latter being challenging since homicides may be staged as suicides to divert guilt, while suicides can be disguised as homicides to implicate someone else.…”