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FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

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 Laryngeal spasm Lungs have no edema May form a plug of mucous and froth. DROWNING.

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FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

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  1. FORENSIC PATHOLOGY DEATH BY DROWNING

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

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

  4. DROWNING • Physiology of Drowning • Hold breath • Build up of Carbon Dioxide • PCO2 = 55 mmHg • Involuntary inhalation • Water in lungs and/or stomach • Cerebral Hypoxia • 3 – 60 min. • Depends on water temperature • Warm water 3-10 min • Cold Water up to 66 min

  5. DROWNING • Physiology • Water washes out surfactant • Alveolar collapse • Ventilation/perfusion mismatch

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  13. DROWNING • Scuba Divers • Rapid ascent • Bends • Nitrogen Narcosis • Equipment failure

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