Differences between accidents and suicides in river drowning cases based on forensic autopsy information in a part of...

The number of drowning deaths worldwide is increasing, and preventive measures are being developed on a global scale. However, unlike the global trend, elderly people account for most drowning deaths in Japan, which suggests that unique surveys and measures are required. In this study, we analyzed forensic autopsy cases of river drowning in a part of Japan to reveal the characteristics of the deaths and of finding of the deceased.

We retrospectively investigated river drowning cases for which a forensic autopsy was performed from 2012 to 2021 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Various factors were examined statistically for comparison of accidents and suicides.

The accident group tended to be older and many had cognitive impairments or reduced mobility, while the suicide group tended to be younger, with a higher proportion in their 50 s and 60 s. Many cases in both groups occurred within 6 h of the last confirmed contact. The suicide cases were reported as missing more frequently than the accident cases. The accident cases tended to occur in smaller, more familiar rivers, while suicide cases tended to occur in larger rivers further from home. Preventive measures such as guardrails or fences were present in 81.8 % of the suicide cases and 22.0 % of the accident cases.

This study highlights the importance of timely searches, innovative preventive measures, and societal awareness focused on people with mental and cognitive problems to address the underlying factors contributing to drowning in rivers due to accident and suicide in Japan.