Page 102 - CFDI Guide

Certified Forensic Death Investigator (CFDI) Program
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI, CFDI-Expert and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, CFDI-SME
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council (CDITC) Accredited

only restrict blood flow – the ligature need not encircle the neck; or pressure to sides of neck. Hanging by
any position – seated or kneeling to partially or fully suspended – only requires pressure on the neck

restricting blood flow. The groove may have an imprint of the ligature, and if the ligature is missing (not in
suicides or accidents) the pattern may be compared to recovered evidence. It is also important to

remember the Manner of Death (Natural, Accident, Suicide, Homicide, and Undetermined) are medical
determinations, they are not legal determinations – criminal acts. Law enforcement will determine any

criminal acts, which may appear to conflict with the Manner of Death.
• Fixed Ligature: is knotted at the point where the ligature encircles the neck. The suspended side of the

noose will pull up to suspension point and be an inverted “V”.
• Running Ligature: does not have a knot – it is slip knot, lasso knot or similar, with the body weight

tightening the ligature and knot. If suspended, an impression of the knot may be seen.
• Point of Suspension: Usually easily reached with or without a chair or similar (often a doorknob, coat

hook, clothing rod or similar). If the decedent is fully suspended and the height requires the decedent

have assistance to reach, and not present or proximate to the decedent, this is suspicious and more
investigation is needed. This does not immediately indicate homicide – any scene staging, movement

of furniture, etc. needs to be checked. Staging may be seen in homicides, and often in auto-erotic
deaths the area is cleaned to avoid embarrassment.

It is important to determine if any point of suspension was out of reach, and if so was any aid

to reach it in a location the decedent could reach, and if not was the aid (chair, ladder, etc.)
moved by the decedent (they may kick a chair or ladder out of the way) or any persons finding

the decedent or responders, or other explanation supported by evidence? This may be
determined from photographs or video of the scene and outside the immediate scene. Do any

reports indicate statements by any witnesses or responders of how the scene was first found?

The CFDI should include determining this in any independent investigation, including
interviews of these persons. The determination of Accident or Suicide or Homicide is based
upon the determined activities and actions of the decedent, or other person proximate to

death.

• Accident Hanging is determined if the actions were unintentional and may be seen at work

or recreation, including in children, or in sexual activities. In all cases, these may be alone
or with other persons.

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