Sociodemographic and Autopsy Findings in Hanging-Related Deaths: Evidence from Isparta, Türkiye

Year 2026, Volume: 33 Issue: 1, 49 - 57, 21.03.2026

Mehmet Can Yağtu , Alper Mert , Abdulkadir Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1823021

https://izlik.org/JA52AE73HW

Abstract

Objective
Suicide is a major public health issue affecting
millions of people worldwide. In particular, hanging
has increasingly become a more frequently chosen
method of suicide. Understanding the characteristics
of suicide cases is of great importance for the
development of effective prevention strategies.
This study examined suicide cases by hanging that
occurred within a specific region. Autopsy findings,
along with the location and time of the incident
and the sociodemographic characteristics of the
individuals, were evaluated collectively to identify
factors associated with this type of suicide.

Material and Method
This retrospective observational study examined
findings from 80 autopsies conducted due to hangingrelated
deaths in Isparta province, Türkiye, between
2012 and 2020, as well as data about the individuals.
Variables such as sociodemographic characteristics,
type of hanging, autopsy findings, material used, history
of psychiatric illness, suicide note, and contributing
factors were defined categorically. Statistical differences
between variables were assessed using the chisquare
test, and the significance level was set at p <
0.05.

Results
The majority of the examined cases consisted of male
individuals (n = 58, 72.5%). Cervical vertebral fractures
were significantly more frequent among individuals
aged 65 years and older compared to other age
groups (p < 0.05). The use of scarves among women
and the presence of hyoid bone fractures among men
were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Suicide cases were most frequently observed during
the autumn season (n = 30, 37.5%) and predominantly
occurred within home environments (n = 56, 70%).

Conclusion
The findings reveal that suicide is associated with
demographic and environmental factors and that age
and gender are significantly correlated with certain
autopsy findings. The data obtained indicate that
suicide prevention strategies should be developed by
focusing on both individual and environmental risk
factors.

Keywords

Autopsy , Forensic medicine , Prevention , Suicide

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Süleyman Demirel University on October 31, 2023, with decision number 14/218. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1995, revised 2024).

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-forprofit sectors.

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