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07:40
A Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: November 21, 2013
Neck and scleral hemorrhage in drowning
Russell T Alexander1, Jeffrey M Jentzen
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland, 900 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. alexanderr@ocmemd.org
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|January 5, 2011
Summary
This case report highlights neck and head hemorrhages as potential indicators of drowning, even when other autopsy findings are inconclusive. These findings suggest drowning may cause elevated venous pressure, leading to these specific hemorrhages.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Toxicology
- Medical Science
Background:
- Determining cause of death in drowning cases is challenging due to limited specific autopsy findings.
- Submerged bodies often present diagnostic difficulties for forensic pathologists.
Observation:
- A case report details a 30-year-old male found deceased at the bottom of a hotel swimming pool.
- Autopsy revealed significant scleral and fascial hemorrhages in the neck muscles, with no external trauma.
- Law enforcement investigation found no evidence of foul play.
Findings:
- The presence of petechial and neck hemorrhages in drowning victims is a debated topic in forensic literature.
- This study proposes that neck and head hemorrhages can result from elevated central venous pressure during drowning.
- This pressure is transmitted via the valveless neck veins.
Implications:
- Neck and cephalic hemorrhages may serve as crucial indicators in drowning investigations.
- Understanding these findings can aid in differentiating drowning from other causes of death.
- This research contributes to the diagnostic criteria for drowning in forensic pathology.
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