Abstract
This project uses a Florida medical examiner sample comprising victims of hanging, ligature, and manual strangulations to document fracture frequency and type to the hyoid, thyroid cartilage, and cricoid cartilage. I draw attention to the biomechanics of neck compression and reinforce the value of complete neck organ structure trauma analysis (gross, radiographic and microscopic) by a trained skeletal analyst. My findings indicated that the hyoid and thyroid fracture more often than indicated in the scientific literature. In addition, I highlight certain endogenous and exogenous variables responsible for those fractures and present evidence as to why the gross analysis of soft tissues is not a reliable indicator of trauma.