Role of external injuries in ascertaining the cause of death in case of bodies retrieved from water

Dr. Jaydeo Laxman Borkar; Dr. Laxman Gangadhar Phad; Dr. M.S. Vyawahare

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2017

Role of external injuries in ascertaining the cause of death in case of bodies retrieved from water

Dr. Jaydeo Laxman Borkar, Dr. Laxman Gangadhar Phad, Dr. M. S. Vyawahare

Abstract :

Background: Injuries present on body retrieved from water, may complicate the case as it creates the suspicion and difficulties in deciding cause of death apart from drowning and force to think about other possibilities. The injuries present on body may be ante–moretem, peri–moretm or post–mortem in nature.

Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken at tertiary care hospital, Government Medical College and Hospital on 190 cases ought for postmortem examination, retrieved from different water sources during the period December 2013 to October 2015.

Result: The maximum incidence of cases retrieved from water was 53 cases in age group 21–30 years (27.89%) cases followed by 31–40 years (22.64%) cases and 41–50 years (19.47%) cases. In 190 cases retrieved from water, drowning as a cause of death ascertained in 149 cases (78.42%), Drowning with head injury was given as a cause of death in 5 cases (2.63%), Injuries to vital organs were given as a cause of death in 3 cases (1.58 %) and opinion was kept reserved in 33 cases (17.37 %). Aasion was present in total 32 cases (16.84%), contusions were present in 8 cases (4.21%), laceration was present in 6 cases (3.15%) in which 4 cases, No injuries was present in 153 cases (80.52%)