Veterinary Forensic Pathology: Drowning and Bodies Recovered From Water

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Forensic Toxicology

Background:

• Determining cause of death in animals from water is challenging.
• Drowning diagnosis is often one of exclusion, relying on scene and historical data.
• Lesions of drowning are not specific and depend on the drowning medium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms, lesions, and diagnostic issues of drowning in nonaquatic companion animals.
• To provide insights for pathologists interpreting postmortem findings and behavioral implications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of drowning mechanisms and pathology in companion animals.
• Analysis of diagnostic challenges and interpretation of postmortem findings.
• Discussion of cardiorespiratory reflexes and physiological changes during drowning.

Main Results:

• Drowning diagnosis requires comprehensive information beyond postmortem examination.
• Macroscopic and microscopic lesions are characteristic but not pathognomonic.
• Understanding the complex physiological process of drowning is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Accurate drowning diagnosis in companion animals necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
• Pathologists must consider scene, history, and physiological data alongside autopsy findings.
• This review aids in understanding the complexities of drowning for improved veterinary forensic investigations.