Strontium concentration in body cavity fluids as a novel marker for drowning diagnosis and entry site determination

We started to measure concentrations of dissolved and particulate phases for dozens of chemical elements to compensate for the shortcomings of the diatom test. In this study, pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and cerebrospinal body fluids were obtained from 34 cases diagnosed as drowning and 25 non-drowning and non-immersed (NDNI) cases. The results showed that from the body fluids, in particular from bilateral pleural and pericardial fluids, synergically measured levels of the dissolved phase of strontium (Sr), lithium (Li), and Boron (B) and particulate phase of Sr concentrations were increased in seawater drowning (SWD) cases as opposed to freshwater drowning (FWD) cases and NDNI cases, forecasting the location of water aspiration. To categorically attribute the cause of death to drowning, however, a comprehensive investigation of circumstantial evidence, a careful external examination of the body, and a thorough analysis of body fluids pertaining to diatom testing in various organs and body fluids should be undertaken. Our research with the latter analysis method reveals that it is a powerful diagnostic aid, particularly in SWD cases versus FWD cases. Going forward, we hope that the results we achieved will be helpful when investigating drowning location with water aspiration for suspected drowning cases.