FORENSIC PATHOLOGY DEATH BY DROWNING DEATH BY DROWNING

FORENSIC PATHOLOGY DEATH BY DROWNING

DEATH BY DROWNING Caused by submersion in a liquid Death due to asphyxia with water occluding the airways

DEATH BY DROWNING Dry Drowning Only a hypothesis l Laryngeal spasm l Lungs have no edema l May form a plug of mucous and froth l

DROWNING Physiology of Drowning l Hold breath l l Involuntary inhalation l l Build up of Carbon Dioxide l PCO 2 = 55 mm. Hg Water in lungs and/or stomach Cerebral Hypoxia l 3 – 60 min. l Depends on water temperature l Warm water 3 -10 min l Cold Water up to 66 min

DROWNING Physiology Water washes out surfactant l Alveolar collapse l Ventilation/perfusion mismatch l

Post-mortem tissue consumption caused by small marine animals such as fish and crabs on the dorsal hand. The edges of the defect are typically scalloped.

Large marine life such as sharks and alligators may consume large amounts of tissue and leave sharp injuries in the soft tissue and/or bone. In this case it may be difficult to determine whether the injuries represent ante -mortem trauma or post-mortem artifacts.

DROWNING Water Temperature l Cold Water “Goose Pimples” l Body’s metabolism slows l No need for oxygen to produce ATP l

DROWNING Autopsy Findings l Circumstances of Death May be Suicide, Homicide, Accidental l Autopsy Inconclusive l l Washerwoman l 20 – 30 min. l White l hands or hemorrhagic edema fluids Pulmonary edema is non-specific

DROWNING Tests for Drowning l Gettler Chloride Test Levels less on right side of heart = drowned by saltwater l Levels less on left side of heart = drowned by freshwater l TEST DOES NOT WORK!!! l

DROWNING Diatom tests l Microscopic unicellular algae l 5 to 500 μm in size l Silica skeleton l Inconclusive test May be inhaled l May be ingested l May be aspirated in water l

DROWNING Bathtubs Extremely uncommon l May happen due to seizure in tub l Rarely homicide in adult, may occur in children l

DROWNING Scuba Divers l Rapid ascent Bends l Nitrogen Narcosis l l Equipment failure