Deviations in findings in hanging by interposition of fingers between noose and neck

Fingers wedged between loop and neck produce a characteristic modification of the morphological pattern: in the area where the ligature mark is interrupted there are vertical or oblique impressions, of the width of a finger, that tend to brown-dry only to a slight degree. Between these impressions are ridged strips with ecchymoses and/or blisters filled with serous fluid. The interposed fingers themselves may show vesiculose raised epidermis distally from the ligature groove. The paper demonstrates the macround microscopical findings in 5 cases. In 3 of the 5 cases there was a high degree of intoxication, so that it cannot be ruled out that these suicides, because of staggering, fell into the noose when still engaged in preparing the suspension.