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Torimitsu S, Yajima D, Inokuchi G, Makino Y, Motomura A, Chiba F, Yamaguchi R, Hoshioka Y, Tsuneya S, Iwase H. Electrolyte analysis of pleural effusion for discrimination between seawater and freshwater drowning in decomposed bodies. J Forensic Leg Med 2022; 90:102389. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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2
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Legaz I, Barrera-Pérez E, Prieto-Bonete G, Pérez-Martínez C, Sibón A, Maurandi-López A, Pérez-Cárceles MD. Trace elements in forensic human lung: A new approach to the diagnosis of seawater drowning. A preliminary study. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110815. [PMID: 33990017 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosing of drowning remains one of the most challenging activities for the forensic pathologist. There is little information on the impact on the lung as a target organ in death by drowning. We aimed to investigate the concentration of trace elements in the lungs of people who had suffered different types of death to evaluate the discriminating ability of trace elements to identify seawater drowning (SWD). A total of 11 trace elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in 74 forensic cases. Sampler scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to identify ultrastructural lung alterations. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of trace elements was carried out. The trace elements in SWD lungs were detected in the following order of concentration: Br˃Zn˃Sr˃Cr˃Cu˃As˃Pb˃Se˃Mn˃Ni˃Cd. Our results showed significantly higher concentrations of Br and Sr (P = 0.010 and P = 0.000) and significantly lower concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in SWD compared with other causes of death. After adjusting by confounder factors, Sr and Br remained as predictive independent factors for diagnosis of drowning (p = 0.042, in both cases). These results were confirmed by PCA, which revealed a wide separation between SWD and the rest of the causes of death. Our SWD cohort was characterized by high concentrations of the trace elements Br and Sr and low concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in lung tissue, while PCA showed its discriminatory capacity to identify death by seawater drowning. These findings, together with those obtained using other techniques, can be of great importance in the diagnosis of SWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | | | - Gemma Prieto-Bonete
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Pérez-Martínez
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Agustín Sibón
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science, Cádiz, Spain; Department of Didactics of Mathematical and Social Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Maurandi-López
- Department of Didactics of Mathematical and Social Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain
| | - María D Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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3
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Zhang L, Nie Q, Dai Y, Zhu S, Wang J, Wang W, Tan X, Zhang P, Li J. Diatomological mapping of water bodies in Chongqing section of the Yangtze River and Jialing River. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1375-1385. [PMID: 32342180 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02297-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of drowning is one of the most difficult in forensic medicine. Forensic diatomology has been proposed to be useful in solving the diagnosis of drowning and considered to be a reliable indicator of the site of drowning. The Yangtze River and Jialing River are the main rivers in the Chongqing area (China), and a large number of corpses are found in the rivers every year. However, the distribution of diatoms in the rivers was not fully studied. In the presented study, a Microwave Digestion-Vacuum Filtration-Scanning Electron Microscopy (MD-VF-SEM) method was performed to acquire the qualitative and quantitative data of diatoms of water samples collected from 10 different sites of the Yangtze River and Jialing River in Chongqing section during different seasons. Our study not only created the diatomological maps of water bodies in Chongqing section of the Yangtze River and Jialing River for the first time but also identified some seasonal and site-specific diatoms that can be taken as markers of particular sites or seasons of drowning. The results of our study may provide forensic scientists helpful reference in solving the drowning cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road 1#, Yuzhongqu, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianyun Nie
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Xueyuan Road 3#, Longhuaqu, Haikou, China.,Department of Medical Section, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yalei Dai
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road 1#, Yuzhongqu, Chongqing, China
| | - Shisheng Zhu
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinbao Wang
- Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau water branch material evidence identification Office, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau water branch material evidence identification Office, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaobo Tan
- Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau water branch material evidence identification Office, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Xueyuan Road 3#, Longhuaqu, Haikou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road 1#, Yuzhongqu, Chongqing, China.
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4
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Hayakawa A, Terazawa K, Matoba K, Horioka K, Fukunaga T. Diagnosis of drowning: Electrolytes and total protein in sphenoid sinus liquid. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 273:102-105. [PMID: 28260644 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, electrolyte (sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and magnesium (Mg)) and total protein (TP) concentrations and volume of liquid in the sphenoid sinus were examined to determine their usefulness to elucidate whether drowning occurred in freshwater or seawater. We examined 68 cases (seawater drowning group: 27 cases, freshwater drowning group: 21 cases, non-drowning group: 20 cases). There was a significant difference in Na, Cl, Mg, and TP concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus among the three groups (seawater drowning, freshwater drowning, and non-drowning groups). To distinguish freshwater drowning from seawater drowning, Na, Cl, and Mg concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus might serve as useful indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Hayakawa
- Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Koichi Terazawa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Matoba
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kie Horioka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tatsushige Fukunaga
- Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Detection of chlorine and bromine in free liquid from the sphenoid sinus as an indicator of seawater drowning. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015; 17:299-303. [PMID: 26415653 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the usefulness of elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in the examination of free liquid from the sphenoid sinus of drowning victims. We detected both chlorine and bromine in liquid taken from the sphenoid sinus of seawater drowning victims. Because these elements were below the quantification limit in freshwater cases, we could easily distinguish seawater from freshwater drowning cases. Detection of these elements from the liquid in the sphenoid sinuses of drowning victims may be useful as a supportive measure for seawater drowning.
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Fortes FJ, Perez-Carceles MD, Sibon A, Luna A, Laserna JJ. Spatial distribution analysis of strontium in human teeth by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: application to diagnosis of seawater drowning. Int J Legal Med 2014; 129:807-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-014-1131-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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7
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Elevated Postmortem Vitreous Sodium and Chloride Levels Distinguish Saltwater Drowning (SWD) Deaths From Immersion Deaths Not Related to Drowning But Recovered From Saltwater (DNRD). Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2013; 34:133-8. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0b013e3182868ee1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Hu S, Liu C, Wen J, Dai W, Wang S, Su H, Zhao J. Detection of diatoms in water and tissues by combination of microwave digestion, vacuum filtration and scanning electron microscopy. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 226:e48-51. [PMID: 23374881 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The detection of diatoms has been proposed to be useful in the diagnosis of drowning. In the presented paper, we describe a novel method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of diatoms in water and organs. Samples were treated by microwave digestion. The fluid obtained was vacuum-filtrated; its sediment on the membrane was coated and examined under the scanning electron microscope with the mode of automatic field scanning; and qualitative and quantitative diatom analysis was performed based on the images captured automatically and on manual identification of the suspected diatoms at a required higher magnification. The method is rapid, sensitive, labor-saving, and accurate for qualitative and quantitative diatom analysis. However, further scientific research in the field of automatic diatom identification using SEM images has to be done in order to automate the process of detection and identification of diatoms in water and tissues for the diagnosis of drowning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunlin Hu
- Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangzhou 510030, PR China
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9
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Pérez-Cárceles MD, del Pozo S, Sibón A, Noguera JA, Osuna E, Vizcaya MA, Luna A. Serum biochemical markers in drowning: diagnostic efficacy of Strontium and other trace elements. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 214:159-66. [PMID: 21873008 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to analyse several serum biochemical markers in order to evaluate the discriminant capacity of trace elements individually and jointly in drowning (seawater drowning and freshwater drowning) and their correlation with age, sex, postmortem interval, time in water and concentrations of the trace elements in the drowning medium. Sixty-seven cases of drowning (53 seawater drownings (SWD); 14 freshwater drownings (FWD) and 73 control cases (other asphyxias, n=44, and other causes of death, n=29) were selected according to the scene, cause and circumstances of death, together with autopsy findings. Serum strontium (Sr), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), urea, creatinine (Cr) and cardiac Troponine T (cTn-T) were measured in the left ventricle (Lv), right ventricle (Rv) and peripheral blood. Lv-Rv differences for each marker and Sr, Mg, Na, Cl, Ca and Fe concentrations in the drowning medium were determinated. Mean concentrations of Sr, Cl and Mg in both ventricles and peripheral serum and Lv-Rv differences and Ca Lv and Na Rv were significantly higher in cases of drowning than for other causes of death. In SWD, Sr, Mg, Ca, Na and Cl were significantly higher in Lv than in Rv as a result of aspirating water. In contrast, haemodilution is evident from the significantly higher levels of Fe and urea in Rv than in Lv in cases of SWD, and from the higher Mg and Cr levels in Rv in FWD. In the case of SWD, serum levels of Sr are confirmed as the best parameter for diagnosis, although other trace elements may also be useful, such as the serum concentrations of Mg and Cl. In the case of FWD, the joint determination of Sr and other biochemical markers, especially Fe, may increase correct diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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10
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Takahashi M, Kinoshita H, Nishiguchi M, Nishio H. Bromide detection in blood using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence; a chemical marker supportive of drowning in seawater. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2010; 12:132-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2010.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2009] [Revised: 01/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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11
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Diatomeennachweis und -identifizierung. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-009-0628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Pérez-Cárceles MD, Sibón A, Gil Del Castillo ML, Vizcaya MA, Osuna E, Casas T, Romero JL, Luna A. Strontium levels in different causes of death: diagnostic efficacy in drowning. Biol Trace Elem Res 2008; 126:27-37. [PMID: 18581066 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-008-8180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2008] [Accepted: 06/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trace element determination can be applied in forensic medicine to diagnose the cause of death. Drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injury. Despite the many diagnostic methods used, the post-mortem diagnosis of drowning continues to be one of the most difficult in forensic pathology. Strontium is a highly sensitive marker of water aspiration in a liquid medium rich in this metal. The aims of this study were to confirm the diagnostic value of strontium in cases of drowning compared with other causes of death, to analyse factors that could affect its concentration and to ascertain the sensitivity and specificity of strontium in right and left ventricles and peripheral serum for the post-mortem diagnosis of drowning. We studied 120 cadavers selected from medico-legal autopsies with different causes of death. Strontium (Sr) levels were measured in the serum (left and right ventricles and peripheral vein) of all cadavers and, in the case of drowning, in the water medium itself, by using Zeeman AAS. Our results confirm the usefulness of blood Sr levels for diagnosing seawater and freshwater drowning, although great care should be exercised in the latter case.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
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13
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Azparren JE, Perucha E, Martínez P, Muñoz R, Vallejo G. Factors affecting strontium absorption in drownings. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 168:138-42. [PMID: 16901667 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2005] [Revised: 06/29/2006] [Accepted: 07/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the effects of age, gender, a cold water medium versus warm water medium, and salinity on strontium levels determined in left ventricular blood in drownings. Significant differences in the amount of strontium absorbed into the bloodstream (p<0.001) were detected between individuals who drowned in fresh water versus those drowning in seawater, and between those drowning in cold water versus warm water (p=0.030). However, no significant differences were noted in the strontium concentrations of left ventricular blood according to gender or age.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Azparren
- Instituto Nacional de Toxicología y Ciencias Forenses, Ministerio de Justicia, C/Luis Cabrera 9, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
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14
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de la Grandmaison GL, Leterreux M, Lasseuguette K, Alvarez JC, de Mazancourt P, Durigon M. Study of the diagnostic value of iron in fresh water drowning. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 157:117-20. [PMID: 16280220 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2004] [Accepted: 03/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to test the diagnostic value of iron (Fe) in fresh water drowning by investigating the postmortem levels of hemodilution in drowning cases compared to control cases. Twenty-six typical fresh water drowning cases were selected from 128 immersion cases autopsied in our Department of Forensic Pathology between 1998 and 2004. The exclusion criteria were a long postmortem interval and other causes of death than drowning. For all selected cases, the diagnosis of drowning was based on the presence of autopsy findings and positive diatom test. A control population of 12 cases was also selected. For each drowning and control case, iron blood levels were measured in the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) of the heart. The mean difference of iron concentration (RVFe-LVFe) between the drowning group and the control group was statistically compared. Furthermore, iron measurements were performed in 19 drowning cases showing advanced putrefaction. The mean difference of iron concentration was significantly higher in the drowning cases compared with controls (P<0.001). All drowning cases showed hemodilution. No overlap was found in the RVFe-LVFe levels between the two groups. Resuscitation attempts seemed to have no effect on the results. In cases of drowning showing advanced putrefaction, the iron test was not reliable because biochemical iron measurement was often prevented by no sufficient blood in the heart or postmortem clots. In conclusion, according to our results, iron seems to be a good biochemical marker in fresh water drowning with a short postmortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffroy Lorin de la Grandmaison
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Paris-Ouest Medical University, 104 Boulevard Raymond Poincaré, F-92380 Garches, France.
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15
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Piette MHA, De Letter EA. Drowning: still a difficult autopsy diagnosis. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 163:1-9. [PMID: 16378701 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2004] [Accepted: 10/20/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Investigation of bodies recovered out of water comprises an important proportion of the medico-legal requests. However, the key question whether the victim died due to "true" drowning can frequently not easily be solved. In addition, the diagnosis of hydrocution is even more difficult. In this manuscript, a review of reported diagnostic methods is discussed in order to provide guidelines, which can be used in current forensic practice. In particular, the (dis)advantages of various biological and thanato-chemical methods, described in literature during the last 20 years, will be confronted with the classical techniques such as the detection of diatoms and algae. Indeed, the diatom test is still considered as the "golden standard". In conclusion, the ideal diagnostic test as definite proof for drowning still needs to be established. At present, the combination of the autopsy findings and the diatom test is a good compromise in arriving at a conclusion. Additional biochemical and technical methods could be useful. Unfortunately, the cost-benefit analysis in current practice could be hard to defend. However, the importance of this subject asks for further scientific approaches and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel H A Piette
- Ghent University, Department of Forensic Medicine, Jozef Kluyskensstraat 29, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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16
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Azparren JE, Fernandez-Rodriguez A, Vallejo G. Diagnosing death by drowning in fresh water using blood strontium as an indicator. Forensic Sci Int 2003; 137:55-9. [PMID: 14550615 DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(03)00284-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The interpretation of the level of strontium (Sr) in blood has been demonstrated to be useful in the diagnosis of death by drowning occurred in sea water, but its use in fresh water drownings is not so evident because of the low Sr concentration present in most of fresh water media. In this paper, we show a survey of the results obtained in the casework analysis of Sr in ventricular blood used in the diagnosis of drowning in 144 bodies found immersed in fresh water over a period of 10 years. Thirty-two percent of the immersion cases examined could be diagnosed as drownings with a reasonable degree of confidence. It is thought that this percentage of positive diagnoses could be largely improved in the case of blood samples taken a few hours after death.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Azparren
- Instituto Nacional de Toxicologia (Madrid), Ministerio de Justicia, C/Luis Cabrera 9, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
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17
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Azparren JE, Ortega A, Bueno H, Andreu M. Blood strontium concentration related to the length of the agonal period in seawater drowning cases. Forensic Sci Int 2000; 108:51-60. [PMID: 10697779 DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The levels of ventricular blood strontium (Sr) from 70 seawater drowning victims were compared with their diagnosis of drowning based mainly on certain criteria selected from their autopsy report. From this comparison, intervals of either the difference of Sr concentration between the left and the right ventricle blood (LVSr-RVSr) or the Sr concentration in the left ventricle blood (LVSr), appear to be related to different time-lapses of the agonal period of drowning. In the aim to diagnose drownings, intervals of both LVSr-RVSr and LVSr were proposed to characterize three different agonal periods in seawater drowning cases: instantaneous death (ID), fast vital-submersion drowning (FVSD) and common vital-submersion drowning (CVSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Azparren
- Instituto Nacional de Toxicologia, Madrid, Ministerio de Justicia, Spain.
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18
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Diagnosis of Drowning by Combined Computer-Assisted Histomorphometry of Lungs with Blood Strontium Determination. J Forensic Sci 1998. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs14305j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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19
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Azparren J, de la Rosa I, Sancho M. Biventricular measurement of blood strontium in real cases of drowning. Forensic Sci Int 1994; 69:139-48. [PMID: 7813997 DOI: 10.1016/0379-0738(94)90250-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A simple method for blood strontium determination by spetrophotometry atomic absorption with Zeeman correction is proposed. This method is applied to real cases of death by drowning, where the difference in blood strontium concentration between the left and the right side of the heart could contribute, together with other data, to the investigation of causes of death in cases of drowning in salt water. The differences obtained in blood strontium concentrations between the left and the right side of the heart in cases of supposed 'typical drowning' in sea water were always > 75 micrograms Sr/l, compared to < 20 micrograms Sr/l found in two supposed cases of 'atypical drowning'.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Azparren
- Instituto Nacional de Toxicología de Madrid, Spain
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20
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Scanning Electron Microscopy: Application in the Identification of Diatoms in Cases of Drowning. J Forensic Sci 1992. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs11998j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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21
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Qu J, Wang E. A study on the diagnosis of drowning by examination of lung chlorophyll(a) of planktons with a spectrofluorophotometer. Forensic Sci Int 1992; 53:149-55. [PMID: 1592325 DOI: 10.1016/0379-0738(92)90191-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
An investigation on the diagnosis of drowning by analysis of chlorophyll(a) (Chl.(a)) of planktons in the lung sample with a spectrofluorophotometer (SFPM) is reported. The diagnostic criteria or main points of death by drowning are suggested are according to our experimental studies. Meanwhile two cases of submersion in water were investigated and the causes of death were diagnosed correctly. It is concluded that examination of lung Chl.(a) of planktons could be used as a reliable diagnostic method in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Qu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guiyang Medical College, P.R. China
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Chen YC, Deng ZK, Zhu JZ. The significance of detecting serum fluorine level in the diagnosis of drowning. Forensic Sci Int 1990; 46:289-94. [PMID: 2376369 DOI: 10.1016/0379-0738(90)90315-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In view of the high content of fluorine in the water of a vast area of Guangdong Province, we detected the serum fluorine level in rabbits that died of drowning and compared them with those obtained from rabbits immersed in water after death from hanging. The fluorine content in water is about 15-fold higher than in the normal serum content. In drowned rabbits, the serum fluorine values are significantly higher than normal while in control cases the serum fluorine values are slightly lower than normal. The fluorine content in human serum is similar with that of rabbits. It suggests that detection of serum fluorine content might be a valuable method for the diagnosis of drowning in those areas where there are high water fluorine content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Chen
- Department of Forensic Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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