Toxicology findings in cases of hanging in the City and County of San Francisco over the 3-year period from 2011 to 2013

Highlights • 2011–2013 deaths by hanging were evaluated for toxicology positivity. • 70% of all deaths by hanging had positive toxicology findings. • Most men had higher likelihood of positive toxicology and polypharmacy. • Women were fewer and equally likely to have either positive or negative toxicology. • Racial groups differed on hanging-death and toxicology-positivity rates.