Accidental Hanging Deaths in Children in Konya, Turkey Between 1998 and 2007

• NCJ Number: 231209
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 637-641
• Author(s): Kamil H. Dogan, M.D.; Serafettin Demirci, M.D.; Zerrin Erkol, M.D.; Mete K. Gulmen, M.D.
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 18th Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, New Orleans, USA, July 21-25,2008.

Annotation

This study retrospectively investigated 4,571 death examinations and autopsies that were performed at the Konya Branch of the Forensic Medicine Council (Turkey) between 1998 and 2007; hanging was involved in 201 (6.5 percent) of the cases.

Abstract

In general, hanging cases are the result of suicide, and accidental and homicidal hanging cases are rarely seen. In the current study, there were a total of 13 accidental hanging cases, where 12 of these involved children. In seven of the cases, the accidental hanging involved a scarf that wraps around swing-like cradles and is intended to prevent infants from falling down. It was concluded that accidental hanging deaths can be reduced by replacing swing-like cradles with cribs that are designed for children, removing ropes in and around the house, and preventing children from reaching and/or playing with rope-like objects. 2 tables, 8 figures, and 20 references (Published Abstract)