Death by hanging: possibilities and limits of medico-legal evidence

International Journal of Legal Medicine · 2026-02-21

In forensic medicine, hanging is a frequent cause of non-natural death which may pose diagnostic problems on the investigator due to the manifold and sometimes ambiguous autopsy findings. The great variability of appearances potentially impedes the classification as to the manner of death (suicide, accident, homicide). The significance of some signs formerly considered to prove vital suspension could not always be confirmed in more recent studies. Therefore, traditional conception passed on from generation to generation must be critically questioned and, if necessary, replaced by evidence-based knowledge derived from systematic evaluations of relevant case material and laboratory tests, where appropriate. Bearing in mind the numerous possible misinterpretations, a dogmatic view must be avoided in favour of a cautious and holistic assessment. The review presented here provides an overview of problem areas based on the pertinent literature, photographic material of real cases and the authors' professional experience.

Multiplicity dependent <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>J</mml:mi><mml:mo>/</mml:mo><mml:mi>ψ</mml:mi></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>ψ</mml:mi><mml:mo stretchy="false">(</mml:mo><mml:mn>2</mml:mn><mml:mi>S</mml:mi><mml:mo stretchy="false">)</mml:mo></mml:math> production at forward and backward rapidity in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo><mml:mi>p</mml:mi></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msqrt><mml:mi>s</mml:mi></mml:msqrt><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>200</mml:mn><mml:mtext> </mml:mtext><mml:mtext> </mml:mtext><mml:mi>GeV</mml:mi></mml:math>

Physical review. D/Physical review. D. · 2025-08-05

Recent measurements of <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><a:mi>J</a:mi><a:mo>/</a:mo><a:mi>ψ</a:mi></a:math> production as a function of event charged-particle multiplicity at the collision energies of both the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) show enhanced <c:math xmlns:c="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><c:mi>J</c:mi><c:mo>/</c:mo><c:mi>ψ</c:mi></c:math> production yields with increasing multiplicity. One potential explanation for this type of dependence is multiparton interactions (MPI). We present the first study of potential autocorrelations at RHIC energies and forward and backward rapidity of self-normalized <e:math xmlns:e="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><e:mi>J</e:mi><e:mo>/</e:mo><e:mi>ψ</e:mi></e:math> yields and <g:math xmlns:g="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><g:mi>ψ</g:mi><g:mo stretchy="false">(</g:mo><g:mn>2</g:mn><g:mi>S</g:mi><g:mo stretchy="false">)</g:mo></g:math> to <k:math xmlns:k="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><k:mi>J</k:mi><k:mo>/</k:mo><k:mi>ψ</k:mi></k:math> ratio, as a function of self-normalized multiplicity in <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><m:mi>p</m:mi><m:mo>+</m:mo><m:mi>p</m:mi></m:math> collisions. In addition, detailed studies tuned to RHIC energies were performed to investigate the MPI impacts. We find that the PHENIX data at RHIC are consistent with recent LHC measurements and can only be described by calculations that include MPI effects. The forward and backward <o:math xmlns:o="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><o:mi>ψ</o:mi><o:mo stretchy="false">(</o:mo><o:mn>2</o:mn><o:mi>S</o:mi><o:mo stretchy="false">)</o:mo></o:math> to <s:math xmlns:s="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><s:mi>J</s:mi><s:mo>/</s:mo><s:mi>ψ</s:mi></s:math> ratio is found to be less dependent on the charged-particle multiplicity.

Measurement of the hard exclusive <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>π</mml:mi> <mml:mn>0</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:math> muoproduction cross section at COMPASS

Physics Letters B · 2025-09-04 · 1 citations

A new and detailed measurement of the cross section for hard exclusive neutral-pion muoproduction on the proton was performed in a wide kinematic region, with the photon virtuality Q2 ranging from 1 to 8 (GeV/c)2and the Bjorken variable xBj ranging from 0.02 to 0.45. The data were collected at COMPASS at CERN using 160 GeV/c longitudinally polarised μ+ and μ− beams scattering off a 2.5 m long liquid hydrogen target. From the average of the measured μ+ and μ− cross sections, the virtual-photon–proton cross section is determined as a function of the squared four-momentum transfer between the initial and final state proton in the range 0.08 (GeV/c)2<|t|< 0.64 (GeV/c)2. From its angular distribution, the combined contribution of transversely and longitudinally polarised photons are determined, as well as transverse–transverse and longitudinal–transverse interference contributions. They are studied as functions of four-momentum transfer |t|, photon virtuality Q2 and virtual-photon energy ν. The longitudinal–transverse interference contribution is found to be compatible with zero. The significant transverse–transverse interference contribution reveals the existence of a dominant contribution by transversely polarised photons. This could provide clear experimental evidence for the chiral-odd GPD E‾T. In addition, the existence of a non-negligible contribution of longitudinally polarised photons is suggested by the |t|-dependence of the cross section at xBj< 0.1. Altogether, these results provide valuable input for future modelling of GPDs and thus of cross sections for exclusive pseudo-scalar meson production. Furthermore, they can be expected to facilitate the study of next-to-leading order corrections and higher-twist contributions.

Azimuthal anisotropy of direct photons in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV

ArXiv.org · 2025-04-03

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider measured the second Fourier component $v_2$ of the direct-photon azimuthal anisotropy at midrapidity in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. The results are presented in 10\% wide bins of collision centrality and cover the transverse-momentum range of $1

Blood extravasations in the vaginal and rectal mucosa: probably underdiagnosed findings in female victims of sexual homicide

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine · 2025-07-29

Measurements at forward rapidity of elliptic flow of charged hadrons and open-heavy-flavor muons in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Au</mml:mi><mml:mo>+</mml:mo><mml:mi>Au</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>s</mml:mi><mml:mrow><mml:mi>N</mml:mi><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:msqrt><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>200</mml:mn><mml:mspace width="0.16em"/><mml:mi>GeV</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>

Physical review. C · 2025-06-23

International audience

Upgrades of the ATLAS zero degree calorimeter system for Run 3 at the Large Hadron Collider

Journal of Instrumentation · 2025-11-01

Abstract Experimental studies of ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) depend crucially on Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs) that measure neutrons produced at near-beam rapidity in nucleus-nucleus collisions. In hadronic nuclear collisions these neutrons are mainly spectator neutrons, those that do not scatter from opposing nucleons during the collision. As a result, the ZDCs provide a vital probe of heavy ion collision geometry. The ZDCs are also essential in the study of ultra-peripheral collisions that are initiated by photons associated with the electric fields of one or both nuclei. Coherent photon emission typically leaves the photon emitter intact, making the observation of no ZDC signal, on one or both sides, a tag of such processes. The ATLAS ZDCs, built prior to Run 1, were substantially upgraded for LHC Run 3. The primary upgrades included replacement of the quartz Cherenkov radiator with H_2-doped fused silica rods; installation of fast air-core signal cables between the ZDC and the ATLAS USA15 cavern; a new LED-based calibration system; and new electronics implemented for readout and fully-digital triggering. The ZDCs were also augmented with new “Reaction Plane Detectors” (RPDs) designed to measure the transverse centroid of multi-neutron showers to allow event-by-event reconstruction of the directed-flow plane in nuclear collisions. The Run 3 ZDC detectors, including the RPDs, are described in detail with emphasis on aspects that are new for Run 3.

Upgrades of the ATLAS Zero Degree Calorimeter System for Run 3 at the Large Hadron Collider

ArXiv.org · 2025-09-07

Experimental studies of ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) depend crucially on Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs) that measure neutrons produced at near-beam rapidity in nucleus-nucleus collisions. In hadronic nuclear collisions these neutrons are mainly spectator neutrons, those that do not scatter from opposing nucleons during the collision. As a result, the ZDCs provide a vital probe of heavy ion collision geometry. The ZDCs are also essential in the study of ultra-peripheral collisions that are initiated by photons associated with the electric fields of one or both nuclei. Coherent photon emission typically leaves the photon emitter intact, making the observation of no ZDC signal, on one or both sides, a tag of such processes. The ATLAS ZDCs, built prior to Run 1 were substantially upgraded for LHC Run 3. The primary upgrades included replacement of the quartz Cherenkov radiator with $\text{H}_2$-doped fused silica rods; installation of fast air-core signal cables between the ZDC and the ATLAS USA15 cavern; new LED-based calibration system; and new electronics implemented for readout and fully-digital triggering. The ZDCs were also augmented with new "Reaction Plane Detectors" (RPDs) designed to measure the transverse centroid of multi-neutron showers to allow event-by-event reconstruction of the directed-flow plane in nuclear collisions. The Run~3 ZDC detectors, including the RPDs, are described in detail with emphasis on aspects that are new for Run~3.

Low-mass vector-meson production at forward rapidity in $p$$+$$p$ and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV

ArXiv.org · 2025-07-06

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured low-mass vector-meson ($ω+ρ$ and $ϕ$) production through the dimuon decay channel at forward rapidity $(1.2<|\mbox{y}|<2.2)$ in $p$$+$$p$ and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV. The low-mass vector-meson yield and nuclear-modification factor were measured as a function of the average number of participating nucleons, $\langle N_{\rm part}\rangle$, and the transverse momentum $p_T$. These results were compared with those obtained via the kaon decay channel in a similar $p_T$ range at midrapidity. The nuclear-modification factors in both rapidity regions are consistent within the uncertainties. A comparison of the $ω+ρ$ and $J/ψ$ mesons reveals that the light and heavy flavors are consistently suppressed across both $p_T$ and ${\langle}N_{\rm part}\rangle$. In contrast, the $ϕ$ meson displays a nuclear-modification factor consistent with unity, suggesting strangeness enhancement in the medium formed.

Nonprompt direct-photon production in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>Au</mml:mtext><mml:mo>+</mml:mo><mml:mtext>Au</mml:mtext></mml:mrow></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>s</mml:mi><mml:mrow><mml:mi>N</mml:mi><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:msqrt><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>200</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math> GeV

Physical review. C · 2024-04-18 · 14 citations

The measurement of the direct-photon spectrum from $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{{}_{NN}}}=200$ GeV is presented by the PHENIX Collaboration using the external-photon-conversion technique for 0%--93% central collisions in a transverse-momentum (${p}_{T}$) range of 0.8--10 $\text{GeV}/c$. An excess of direct photons, above prompt-photon production from hard-scattering processes, is observed for ${p}_{T}&lt;6\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\text{GeV}/c$. Nonprompt direct photons are measured by subtracting the prompt component, which is estimated as ${N}_{\mathrm{coll}}$-scaled direct photons from $p+p$ collisions at 200 GeV, from the direct-photon spectrum. Results are obtained for $0.8&lt;{p}_{T}&lt;6.0\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\text{GeV}/c$ and suggest that the spectrum has an increasing inverse slope from $\ensuremath{\approx}0.2$ to 0.4 $\text{GeV}/c$ with increasing ${p}_{T}$, which indicates a possible sensitivity of the measurement to photons from earlier stages of the evolution of the collision. In addition, like the direct-photon production, the ${p}_{T}$-integrated nonprompt direct-photon yields also follow a power-law scaling behavior as a function of collision-system size. The exponent, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, for the nonprompt component is found to be consistent with 1.1 with no apparent ${p}_{T}$ dependence.