Accidental ligature strangulation with avulsion of scalp.

ABSTRACT

With its relatively small diameter, lack of bony shielding and close association of the airway, spinal cord and major vessels, the human neck is uniquely vulnerable to life threatening injuries. Strangulation is a constriction of the neck by a ligature without suspension of the body, the constricting force being applied directly to the ligature. In this paper, we present case of a 25 years old woman who was accidentally strangled when her one end of saree was entrapped in moving crop thresher during separating grains from dry crops in the field. She was immediately brought to the hospital where she was declared dead. Complete and meticulous autopsy was done and cause of death given as accidental ligature strangulation. This phenomenon is unusual and highlights the hazards of working with such conditions leading to such unfortunate machinery incidences and safety measures to be taken while working with such machines.