Hanging Fatalities in Central Bangkok, Thailand: A 13-Year Retrospective Study

Hanging is violent asphyxial death. The objective of this study is to assess the data of hanging cases. A descriptive-retrospective study was conducted. We studied 244 hanging cases autopsied in Forensic Division, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, between January 2001 and December 2013. The study included 197 men (80.7%) and 47 women (19.2%). Their age ranged from 14 to 93 years. Most of these cases were incomplete hanging (83.6%). Features of hanging victims, such as tongue protrusion; congestion of face; petechial hemorrhage of face, conjunctiva, and internal organs; and neck injuries, significantly correlated with complete hanging. The predominant occupation of hanging victims was in the service industry (63.1%). Suicides usually occurred in private homes or apartments (84.8%). A suicide note was found in 6.1% of cases. The most common ligature material used was nylon rope, found in 61.1% of cases. The most underlying diseases of the victims in hanging cases were tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection, 9 cases each. Blood ethanol levels of 29 cases (11.8%) were detected to be higher than 150 mg%. Methamphetamine and benzodiazepine were detected in 5.3% and 3.3% of cases, respectively. This study provides comprehensive baseline data of hanging cases in central Bangkok

Applications of Integral and Derivative Thermogravimetry to the Analysis of Rubber Formulations

Abstract Thermogravimetry, in the integral and derivative modes, can be used to determine the percentage composition of oil-extended EPDM and plasticized NBR formulations, even when the weight loss steps due to the various components overlap slightly. The percentages of extender oil or plasticizer, rubber, carbon black, graphite, and mineral filler can be determined in 2 hours or less from a single experiment. Derivative thermogravimetry also provides information on the volatility and identity of the extender oil in EPDM formulations, as well as the volatility and identity of the monomeric plasticizers in NBR formulations. Information about the type of carbon black in a formulation can also be obtained. Thermogravimetry appears to be an excellent method for the quality control and receiving inspection of EPDM and NBR formulations.</jats:p