BODIES IN WATER

Understanding Drowning and Causes of Death

• Cerebral Anoxia: Death is primarily due to lack of oxygen reaching the brain caused by asphyxiation when drowning occurs.

• Drowning Statistics:

• 4,508 drowning deaths reported in the U.S. in 2017.

• Children under 10 years account for 1 in 6 of all drowning incidents.

• The most vulnerable age group, children under 1 year, are more prone to drown in bathtubs.

• Males represent approximately 75% of all drowning fatalities.

Injury & Death In Cold Water

• Temperature and Survival:

  • Death typically occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 86°F (30°C).

• Average survival time in freezing water is about 30 minutes.

• Immersion in cold water results in

  • Initial responses include an increase in heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) followed by a subsequent decrease.

  • Immersion leads to decreased muscle strength and central nervous system (CNS) impairments, causing reduced coordination and disorientation.

Investigation Considerations

• Key questions during investigation include:

  • Was the individual alive when they went into the water?

  • What circumstances led the victim to be in a drowning risk situation?

    • Why was the victim in a situation that put him or jer at risk for drowning?

  • What factors contributed to the victim’s inability to escape unharmed?

    • Why was the victim not able to survive in the water and get out unharmed?

Risk Factors for Drowning

• Human Factors:

  • Mental health issues, pre-existing medical conditions, substance abuse (alcohol/drugs), and swimming ability all elevate risk.

• Environmental Factors:

  • Dangerous water currents, water temperatures, electrical hazards, equipment failure, and the presence of marine life can increase drowning risks.

• Electrical hazards and equipment failure also pose significant threats.

Postmortem Changes in Water Immersion

• In cold water, the rate of decomposition slows, but accelerates once the body is removed from water.

• Adipocere Formation: Body tissue may transform into a thick, grayish, soap-like greasy substance as it breaks down.

• Currents may cause bodies to be dragged along the bottom, resulting in traumatic injuries.

• Over time, algae growth can develop.

• Extended immersion in water can lead to the degloving of the epidermis, exposing underlying tissues (outer skin starts coming off)

Postmortem Animal Activity

• Activity from Aquatic Creatures:

• Most common activity from fish and crabs occurs in initially exposed areas of the body (eyelids, lips, ears, nose).

Autopsy Findings in Drowning Cases

• No unique pathological findings confirm drowning.

• Diagnosis is reliant on circumstances of death and non-specific anatomical findings.

• Diagnosis of drowning should not be done without an autopsy

• Autopsy is essential for an accurate drowning diagnosis; typical findings include

  • Pulmonary edema (excess fluid in lungs)

  • Pleural effusions (fluid in pleural cavity)

  • Presence of water in the stomach.

• Notably, “dry drownings” can account for 10-15% of drowning incidents, where victims die without aspirating water into their lungs.