Histotopography of haemorrhagic infiltration in the hanging cutaneous furrow: Where to look for haemorrhagic infiltration in hanging

Abstract

The forensic evidence of hanging is based on the autopsy demonstration of the traces left by the noose or the ligature on the neck, as well as on the histological assessment of the hanging mark vitality. However, the specific topography of haemorrhagic infiltration in the context of the cervical damaged tissues involved in hanging is not known. We carried out an extensive microscopic examination to identify if haemorrhagic infiltration in hanging appeared in specific topographic locations that could have been considered as elective. From 102 victims of suicidal hanging, a skin fragment was sampled from the maximum compression area of the sulcus, including the skin portions immediately above and below it. The sampling was also extended to collect the subcutaneous adipose tissue and part of the striated muscle. A standard histological examination was performed on all the samples, and hematoxylin and Eosin, Weigert’s resorcin-fuchsin and Goldner’s Masson trichrome staining were performed. In all the cases assessed, the microscopic examination allowed the detection of haemorrhagic infiltration mainly in the deepest areas under the sulcus and especially in the deep dermis and at the transition point between the dermis and the subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as in the context of its supporting connective tissue. Such areas could therefore be considered as regions in which the presence of haemorrhagic infiltration is more likely to be demonstrated. Accordingly, we recommend performing sampling similar to ours and focusing the search for haemorrhagic infiltration as suggested.