Asphyxial Deaths and Mechanisms

<p>Fluid in the lungs may not conclusively indicate drowning involvement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Post-mortem examination of diatoms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dark pink or brick-red skin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Laryngeal spasm preventing water entry (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1 to 1.5 minutes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Immediate respiratory failure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bright pink skin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Presence of food particles in the trachea (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prolonged survival time and reduced cardiac reflex (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pungent odor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Identifying antemortem injuries. (B), Determining the type of drowning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Natural disease before water contact (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Signs of immersion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Foamy fluid in the trachea (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Whether the injuries are relevant to the cause of death (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wet drowning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Presence of water in lungs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It determines the manner of death. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Maceration of skin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Presence of immersion-related injuries (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Proteinaceous exudate mixed with surfactant (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hydrogen cyanide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reflex cardiac arrest (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Edema aquosum (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Burns on the body indicating fire exposure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decomposition in sewer systems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frothy fluid in the respiratory system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sulfur dioxide (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Elevation of blood pH (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It prevents water from entering the lungs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Absence of water in the lungs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lungs are pale and crepitant (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Heavy articles or weight in the victim's clothing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homicidal drowning often presents evidence belonging to an assailant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Spillage of gastric contents into airways (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Exclusion of suicidal or homicidal intent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frothy fluid exuded upon compression (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dry-lung drowning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By the presence of bullae in lungs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homicidal drowning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Occurs from the combustion of carbon-containing materials or decomposition of organic matter. Symptoms include cyanosis (bluish skin), frothy mouth, and eye congestion.

A highly toxic gas, rapidly lethal. Usually causes death within minutes, characterized by an almond odor and bright pink/red skin.

A toxic gas with a rotten egg odor, produced by the decomposition of sulfur-containing organic materials.

A pungent-smelling gas, often associated with volcanoes, used as a disinfectant and reducing agent.

Drowning involves inhaled water interfering with gas exchange in the lungs, sometimes triggering reflex cardiac arrest or laryngeal spasm.

Submersion for 1-2 minutes can be fatal. However, survival is possible in longer periods, depending on various factors.

An involuntary stopping of the heart's beating due to a sudden stimulus, often triggerred by cold water.

A sudden involuntary contraction of the larynx (voice box). This can prevent water from entering your lungs.

Autopsy diagnoses of drowning can be challenging because bodies retrieved from water often show immersion signs, regardless of the cause of death. Factors like pre-existing diseases, injuries, or other immersion effects need careful differentiation.

Bodies retrieved from water frequently show signs of immersion, independent of drowning as the cause of death.

Determining if an injury occurred before or after death is crucial in drowning cases to understand if the injury contributed to or resulted from drowning.

Waterlogging of the skin, often caused by extended immersion in warm water.

A medico-legal professional must distinguish between various causes of death (e.g., natural diseases, injuries) and if drowning was the cause, rather than another contributing or separate event.

A condition a person has before entering water; it could cause or contribute to death.

An injury a person had that could have caused or contributed to death, prior to entering the water.

An injury that happened during the time a person was in the water, potentially contributing to death.

Any effect other than drowning that result from immersion.

Drowning as the main cause of death from water.

A type of drowning where the lungs appear normal, but all aspirated water has been absorbed into the bloodstream. This is because a laryngeal spasm prevents further water entry, allowing circulation to clear the water.

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs, making them doughy and easily pittable on pressure. This fluid can also be exuded from the surface of the lungs.

Overinflation of the lungs due to drowning, causing them to fill the thoracic cavity and press against other organs. This is because edema fluid in the bronchi prevents passive collapse.

The manner of death in drowning can be determined by analyzing the circumstances surrounding the incident. For example, the presence of objects like heavy articles or ligatures can suggest suicide or homicide.

Drowning where the victim intentionally takes their own life. Evidence may include heavy items in their pockets, suggesting a desire to sink.

Drowning where the victim is killed by another person. Evidence may include items belonging to the assailant, or ligatures that couldn't have been applied by the victim.

Drowning where the death is unintentional and not a result of suicide or homicide.

Heavy items found in the pockets of a drowning victim can suggest a suicidal intent, as they might have been used to increase the victim's weight and cause them to sink.

Ligatures found on the hands or legs of a drowning victim can suggest homicide, as they might have been used to restrain the victim and prevent them from escaping.

A drowning death is classified as accidental when there is no evidence of suicidal or homicidal intent.

Gases that are dangerous to breathe and can cause serious health problems or death.

Produced from the incomplete burning of fuels like coal, charcoal, gasoline, and kerosene.

Generated from the complete combustion of carbon-containing materials or the decomposition of organic matter.

Characterized by a distinctive almond-like smell, though not everyone can detect it.

Known for its putrid, rotten egg smell and a slightly sweet taste.

Commonly found in volcanic eruptions, but also used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent.

A sudden stoppage of the heart's beating, triggered by cold water or anxiety during drowning.

A sudden, involuntary contraction of the larynx (voice box), preventing water from entering the lungs.

A foamy, white mixture of protein and surfactant in the water inhaled during drowning.

A test that compares chloride concentration in the left and right sides of the heart to determine drowning. A difference of 25mg/100mL indicates a positive test.

Microscopic algae with a silicaceous exoskeleton, found in various aquatic environments. They can be found in the lungs of a drowning victim.

A test that examines diatoms in the lungs, brain, and kidneys to determine if a victim drowned. It's not a foolproof test due to ubiquitous nature of diatoms and contamination possibilities.

Previously considered signs of drowning, including fluid in the middle ear, stomach contents, and blood fluidity, are now deemed unreliable due to inaccuracies in identification and possible other causes.

Autopsy diagnosis of drowning can be difficult because bodies retrieved from water often show immersion signs, even if drowning wasn't the cause of death. Careful differentiation is needed.