Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.29, sa.5, ss.1198-1205, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Drowning may be defined as death due to the aspiration of fluid into the air passages. Signs of immersion only demonstrate submersion of the body for a period but may not be indicative of drowning. Drowning is one of the most difficult modes of death to prove at autopsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the deaths due to drowning, which were autopsied in Ankara and to discuss the previously obtained data. Material and Methods: The authors reviewed drowning deaths, whose autopsies were performed in the Morgue Department, State Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, between 2003 and 2006. The cases were evaluated for age, sex, manner of death, fresh or salt water drowning, and laboratory analysis results. Results: The authors evaluated autopsy reports about 111 drowning cases. The mean age of cases was 28.16 ± 1.80 years and 79.30% of the cases were male; 97.30% of deaths were accidental. Most drowning cases occurred in summer (50.45%) followed by spring (25.20%), autumn (18.00%), and winter (6.30%). Fifteen cases (13.50%) drowned in saltwater and ninety-six cases (86.50%) drowned in freshwater. There were no internal and external drowning findings for 4 (3.60%) cases. Conclusion: At autopsy, there are no pathognomonic findings to make the diagnosis of drowning. Origin of drowning may be accidental, homicidal or suicidal. A diagnosis of drowning cannot be made without a careful investigation of the circumstances of death, examination of the scene, complete autopsy, laboratory studies and legal investigation file. The lower rate of autopsy reports due to drowning in Ankara compared to the rates in other cities was an expected finding. Most of the drowning cases (86.50%) were in fresh water in Ankara, located away from the sea. A diagnosis of drowning cannot be made without a careful investigation of the circumstances of death, examination of the scene and complete autopsy. Copyright © 2009 by Türkiye Klinikleri.