Drowning-Autopsy findings

A i.e. Subpleural tissue of lung

B i.e. Presence of water in the middle ear

B i.e. Patechial haemorrhage

None of them is specific finding of antemortal drowning Paltauf’s haemorrhage (sub pleurally) are found when alveolar walls rupture as a result of increased pressure during forced expiration.

Presence of water in lung alveoli does not indicate antemortal drowning if it does not contain froth.

–   Reddy – Petechial haemorrhages of asphyxial type are not found usually. Rarely subepicardial region of heart posteriorly may show.

Ans. B i.e. Miosis

In drowning, pupils are dilated

Ans. Grass and weeds in hands

Grass, gravel, mud, sand, silt, weeds or aquatic vegetation, etc. may be found held in firmly clenched hands or feet and also under nail-beds due to cadaveric spasm. When present, it is an important
sign suggesting that the victim struggled for existence while in water.

option A ca also be considered –Foam of almost similar nature may also occur in cases of opium poisoning, organophosphorous poisoning, strangulation, epileptic attacks, acute pulmonary oedema and occasionally after an
electric shock. However, the nature, character and distribution of foam in drowning, along with the other findings, make it possible to differentiate it from other causes.

But here best answer will be Option D

Ans. is ‘b’ i.e., Weeds and grass in clenched hands

• The eyes are half opened with dilated pupil, congested conjunctiva, and almost nil petechial hemorrhage.
• Cutis anserina (goose skin), i.e. granular appearance of skin with erect hair due to contraction of erector pili.
• Washerwoman hand and feed, i.e. bleached and corrugated appearance of palm and soles.
• The white, fine, lathery, abundant, and tenacious (sticky) froth of nose and mouth. Froth increases in the amount on compression of the chest. Froth in the nose and mouth is also seen in certain poisoning, e.g. cocaine, organophosphorus, morphine (opioids), and barbiturates. But the froth is neither so fine nor so copious and persistent in these poisonings.
• Weeds, grass, plants, mud or stones in the tightly clenched hand. It is due to cadaveric spasm and strongly suggests that the person was alive when drowned, as it indicates the struggle of the person for life. Abraded tips of fingers and toes and sand under damaged nails have the same significance.
• Emphysema aquosum is seen in wet drowning. In this condition, the lungs are characterized by rupture of alveolar spaces with an accumulation of hemolyzed blood with water and a small amount of air. This condition results from violent respiratory efforts when the victim is submerged in a conscious state.
• Edema aquosum is a condition of the lung characterized by oedematous change due to the accumulation of some water in the lung. This condition results due to the passive entrance of water in the lungs when the victim is submerged in the unconscious state having no violent effort for respiration. It is seen in submersion of unconscious