Momin, Sadikhusen GMangal, Hari MohanKyada, Hetal CVijapura, M TBhuva, S D2012-11-292012-11-292012-01Momin Sadikhusen G, Mangal Hari Mohan, Kyada Hetal C, Vijapura M T, Bhuva S D. Pattern of ligature mark in cases of compressed neck in Rajkot region: a prospective study. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2012 Jan; 34(1): 40-43.http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/143454Ligature mark may be the only evidence available in cases of asphyxial deaths due to either hanging or strangulation. A through examination of the ligature mark and analysis of the information provided by it is therefore, a must to arrive at the most probable cause of death and differentiate between hanging and the ligature strangulation. A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, P.D.U. Medical College & Hospital, Rajkot from January 2008 to December 2008. During that period out of 2159 cases, 90 cases of hanging and 7 cases of ligature strangulation were selected for the present study. We found that deaths due to hanging constituted 4.17% of the total unnatural deaths subjected to medicolegal autopsy; young adults of the age group 21 to 30 years accounted for the maximum cases 40% and the male: female ratio was 2:1. Chunni (34.44%) was the most common ligature material used. The mark was obliquely placed (100% cases) above thyroid cartilage (80% cases). In all the cases of ligature strangulation the mark was transverse and below the level of thyroid cartilage.enHangingLigature strangulationLigature markAdultAsphyxia --mortalityAutopsy --legislation & jurisprudenceFemaleForensic PathologyHumansIndiaLigation --methodsLigation --mortalityMaleNeck Injuries --mortalitySkin --injuriesSkin --pathologyProspective StudiesYoung AdultArticle