Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Extraction of Diatom DNA from Water Samples and Tissues
Published on: November 10, 2023
[Altered water fractions in the blood and its components after drowning]
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that signs of drowning in fresh water are of low diagnostic value. Regardless of the mechanism of drowning death, a certain amount of water enters the blood and somehow changes its composition. The objective of this study was to determine water fractions in the blood of drowned subjects. It included 30 cases of drowning deaths. The control group comprised 30 cases of hanging and 7 bodies found in water after the death on land. The water content in the blood was measured in accordance with the universally accepted diagnostic procedure from the difference of freezing temperatures of free and bound water. It was shown that arterial blood and its constituent components as well as whole venous blood and concentrated red cells mass of drowned subjects contained significantly more water than the blood of those who died on land. The rise was in the first place attributable to the selective increase of the free water fraction. Changes of water content in the blood were virtually identical in the drowned subjects who died from asphyxia and from aspiration of water. The data obtained in this study may be used as additional diagnostic signs of drowning death.
Related Concept Videos
Body Water Content and Fluid Compartments
Composition of Body Fluids
Disorder of Water Balance
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Composition of Blood
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...

