Hanging is the most common method of suicide in England and Wales, accounting for about 2000 deaths each year (Department of Health, 2002; Reference Brock and GriffithsBrock & Griffiths, 2003). Previous studies have been confined to specific geographical locations and have not comprehensively investigated potentially preventable aspects of these deaths (Reference BowenBowen, 1982; Reference Davison and MarshallDavison & Marshall, 1986; Reference James and SilcocksJames & Silcocks, 1992).

In this short report we describe a large case series of hanging suicides from a wide geographical area focusing on the possibilities for restricting access to means, which is one of the objectives of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England (Department of Health, 2002).

METHOD

We studied hanging suicides occurring within the jurisdictions of 24 coroners between 1 July 2001 and 31 December 2001. We initially approached the coroners serving the 3 research centres (Oxford, Bristol and Manchester). A further 21 coroners, 7 from each centre, were randomly selected from a list of coroners within 50 miles (or 1.5 hours’ travelling time) of each centre. Three coroners, from 2 centres, did not agree to participate; they were replaced with the next randomly selected coroners in the relevant centres. Five of the jurisdictions were urban, 15 mixed urban/rural and 4 rural. All deaths by hanging or self-strangulation given a suicide or open verdict were examined.

We collected demographic data, information on the timing and location of the act, who discovered the person, whether they were alive when found, whether alcohol or drugs had been consumed (including details of toxicology reports), contact with psychiatric services, whether the person was suffering from a psychiatric disorder at the time of death and their history of self-harm. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on both general practitioner and psychiatric reports. Where the individual had not had contact with a psychiatrist, diagnoses were formulated on the basis of witness accounts. Information on the ligature, ligature point and degree of suspension was recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-two cases of hanging (85.8% males) were identified across the 24 districts. A verdict of death by suicide was returned in nearly all cases (155 out of 162, 95.7%). The remainder (4.3%) were recorded as open verdicts. Seven individuals (4.3%) had engaged in simultaneous self-poisoning.

Suspension points and type of suspension

Roofs and ceilings (beam/girder or loft) were used as ligature points in about one-third of hangings (58 out of 162, 35.8%) (see Table 1). Of the outdoor ligature points, a tree was most commonly used (25 out of 162, 15.4%).

Table 1 Ligature point used

Ligature point used	n (%)
Beam/girder	27 (16.7)
Tree	25 (15.4)
Loft hatch (includes bar across hatch)	20 (12.4)
Loft beam	8 (4.9)
Loft (no further information)	3 (1.9)
Banister	15 (9.3)
Back of door	13 (8.0)
Cupboard or wardrobe	7 (4.3)
Window frame	6 (3.7)
Curtain or shower rail	4 (2.5)
Cell bars/window	4 (2.5)
Hook or door handle	3 (1.9)
Balcony/stairs	3 (1.9)
Wall bracket/railing/fence	3 (1.9)
Bridge	2 (1.2)
Pipe or radiator	2 (1.2)
Shelving	2 (1.2)
Bed	2 (1.2)
Exercise rail/bar	2 (1.2)
Climbing frame/playhouse	2 (1.2)
Other1	9 (5.4)

Information on degree of suspension was available for 149 cases. Seventy-eight of these (52.4%) were found totally suspended (both feet above the ground). In about one-quarter (35 out of 149, 23.5%) the subjects were suspended with their feet touching the ground, in 11 cases (7.4%) they were kneeling, in 13 lying (8.7%) and in 7 seated (4.7%). The precise position was unclear in a further 5 cases involving partial suspension (3.4%).

DISCUSSION

The most common ligatures used in this sample (rope, belts and flex) are similar to those found in previous community-based studies (see, for example, Reference Davison and MarshallDavison & Marshall, 1986). Although information regarding from where these ligatures had been obtained was rarely noted in coroners’ records, they are easily available. Similarly the main ligature points used (beams, girders, lofts and trees) are commonly available. It would appear, therefore, that restricting access to ligatures outside institutional settings is not possible.

Suicides in institutions (prisons and psychiatric hospital wards) made up only a small proportion of the total hanging suicides (6.2%). Nevertheless such suicides are potentially preventable through environmental modification (Reference Appleby, Shaw and SherrattAppleby et al, 2001; Reference Burrows, Brock and HulleyBurrows et al, 2003; Reference Shaw, Appleby and BakerShaw et al, 2003). The ligature point used in one of the psychiatric ward suicides – the bed curtain rail – should no longer be available in psychiatric units as trusts were required by law to remove non-collapsible bed curtain rails by March 2002 (National Institute for Mental Health in England, 2003). Environmental audits, planned as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to minimise the risk of hanging (National Institute for Mental Health in England, 2003), need to take into account, when assessing potential ligature points, the finding that nearly half of all suicides do not involve full suspension. The prison hangings identified in our study could not have been carried out in a full specification (ligature-free) ‘safer cell’ (Reference Burrows, Brock and HulleyBurrows et al, 2003).

In 7 cases of hanging the person also self-poisoned. If those who hang themselves are found alive, and treatment focuses on the hanging alone without investigation of possible additional suicide methods, the episode may still be fatal.

As it may not be possible to prevent hanging suicides through the restriction of access to ligatures and ligature points outside institutional settings, the focus needs to be on understanding the reasons for the use of this method and the prevention of factors leading to suicide generally.