Post-Mortem Findings in Deaths due to Drowning, a Study on Autopsied Cases at Government Medical College Hospital Jammu: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Drowning is a significant public health problem globally. It is the third leading cause of unintentional
injury death, the post-mortem diagnosis of drowning is achallenge to medico-legal experts as the exact cause of
deathsdue to drowning is not very clearly understood.
Method: 100 dead bodies aged between 10-75 years death due to drowning (60 male and 40 females) were studied
by autopsy. The places of drowning external and internal post-mortem findings were recorded in both sexes.
Results: 60 drowning deaths occurred in Lakes Rivers 12 in wells, 24 in house tanks, 4 in swimming pools. In
the study of external post-mortem 41 cases had froth around mouth /nostrils, 4 cadaveric spasm, 25 mud/sandy
body, 2 cases had mud/sandy in nails, 38 had sign of asphyxia, 50 had sign of injury. In internal findings of postmortem,
34 had forth larynx trachea, 57 had mud/sand/salt in larynx, 83 had voluminous lungs, 23 had stomach
content water, 24 had stomach content food, 10 had injury.
Conclusion: The present pragmatic study of autopsy will certainly help to medico-legal expert to differentiate
homicide and suicide in drowning deaths.