Selfie documentation of hanging; The first ever reported case in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Attached

Introduction: Electronic data are now admissible in court of law in Sri Lanka under Evidence Special Provisions Act No 14 of 1995. Video recording or obtaining photographs is not a common finding among suicidal acts and they may perform such practices for multiple reasons. The case under discussion is the first ever reported case of a selfie documentation of his act of hanging. Case report: A 19 year old male was found in complete hanging inside a closed room. The rope used to hang himself was firmly tied to a rafter and the suspension point was accessible. A mobile phone and a ‘suicide’ note were found at the scene. The scene was undisturbed. The post mortem examination revealed a ligature around the upper most part of the neck with a sliding knot in the back. There were no petechial haemorrhages in conjunctivae or face. The hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage were intact. There were no evidences of incapacitation, intoxication or defense injuries. Toxicological reports were unremarkable. The mobile phone contained one bust photograph and three live photographs of the hanging incident. Discussion: There were no evidences suggestive of homicidal hanging but it could be a suicidal hanging: However, there is a remote chance of being an accidental death while doing an experimental hanging in order to win die \pathy of his girlfriend. This is the first ever reported Selfie documentation of a case of hanging.