Drowning

dc.contributor.authorStephenson, L.
dc.contributor.authorByard, R.
dc.contributor.editorPayne-James, J.
dc.contributor.editorByard, R.
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractImmersion in water results in a significant number of deaths worldwide every year. Controversy exists in the literature as to definitions of drowning. In the forensic setting, problems continually arise in establishing the cause and manner of death. Complex death scenes extending over many kilometers, nonspecific autopsy findings and lack of reliable diagnostic tests are all potential medicolegal issues. Putrefaction due to prolonged post-mortem intervals coupled with post-mortem injuries, including animal predation, may also complicate the assessment of possible trauma. Determining whether an individual was alive or dead before entering the water is often a key question and the contribution of underlying organic disease to the fatal episode may be difficult to ascertain, as disease may have either caused death, contributed to a fall into water or instead may merely have predisposed to drowning. Genetic causes of cardiac arrhythmias associated with swimming will not be discernable at autopsy and concluding whether a death has been the result of an accident, suicide or homicide may just not be possible. Drowning represents one of the more problematic areas of forensic pathology.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityLilli Stephenson and Roger W. Byard
dc.identifier.citationForensic and Legal Medicine - Clinical and Pathological Aspects, 2023 / Payne-James, J., Byard, R. (ed./s), Ch.33, pp.277-286
dc.identifier.doi10.1201/9781003138754-35
dc.identifier.isbn9781003138754
dc.identifier.orcidStephenson, L. [0000-0002-9545-1917]
dc.identifier.orcidByard, R. [0000-0002-0524-5942]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/144253
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCRC Press
dc.rights© 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1201/9781003138754
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subjectResearch Personnel
dc.subjectFemale
dc.titleDrowning
dc.typeBook chapter
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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