**Core Concept**
Antemortem hanging refers to hanging that occurs before death, often resulting from suspension of the body by the neck. This scenario is crucial in forensic pathology as it requires differentiation from postmortem hanging, which occurs after death. The primary goal is to identify signs that indicate the body was suspended while alive.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In antemortem hanging, the body is typically suspended by the neck, causing a combination of mechanical and physiological responses. The most characteristic feature is the presence of **petechial hemorrhages** in the conjunctiva and **subconjunctival hemorrhages** due to the increased venous pressure in the head. This is often accompanied by **ecchymosis** (bruising) around the eyes and face. Additionally, there may be **vagal inhibition** leading to bradycardia, which can be a significant finding in antemortem hanging.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Postmortem hanging typically lacks the characteristic petechial hemorrhages and subconjunctival hemorrhages seen in antemortem cases.
* **Option B:** Livor mortis, or hypostasis, may be present in both antemortem and postmortem hangings and is not a distinguishing feature.
* **Option C:** The presence of rigor mortis does not differentiate between antemortem and postmortem hangings, as it develops after death.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
To remember the key features of antemortem hanging, recall the acronym **"PECS"**: Petechial hemorrhages, Ecchymosis, Conjunctival hemorrhages, and Subconjunctival hemorrhages.

**Correct Answer:** C. Ecchymosis around the eyes and face.