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Study on the postmortem submersion interval and accumulated degree days for a multiple drowning accident
1MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
Forensic Science International
|March 25, 2014
Summary
Forensic science can estimate postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) using accumulated degree days (ADD) and water temperature. This study on multiple drowning victims provides a new ADD range for determining body refloating after submersion.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Environmental Science
- Thanatology
Background:
- Recreational drowning incidents are frequent, often necessitating determination of the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI).
- Estimating PMSI is crucial for forensic investigations, yet human body data is scarce, with most studies relying on animal models.
- Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) offers a method to correlate submersion duration with environmental temperature.
Observation:
- A multiple drowning accident involving six victims provided a unique opportunity to study PMSI and ADD.
- The postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) ranged from approximately 7.4 to 11.4 days.
- Water temperature remained stable between 14.5°C and 16.0°C during the submersion period.
Findings:
- Calculated accumulated degree days (ADD) ranged from 115°C to 174°C (ADDmin: 104°C, ADDmax: 191°C).
- Estimated body drift distances varied significantly, from 0.5 km to 8.0 km from the accident site.
- The study suggests a specific ADD range necessary for human cadavers to regain buoyancy after drowning.
Implications:
- This research provides valuable data for forensic science, improving estimations of postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) in drowning cases.
- Findings can refine the use of accumulated degree days (ADD) as a reliable indicator in forensic investigations involving submerged human remains.
- The study contributes to understanding decomposition and buoyancy changes in aquatic environments, aiding in the recovery and identification of drowning victims.
