Drowning-Autopsy findings
Which of the following is a characteristic post mortem finding of drowning?
| A |
Dribbling of saliva |
|
| B |
Cherry red discolouration |
|
| C |
Paltauf’s haemorrhages |
|
| D |
Pugilistic attitude |
Which of the following is a characteristic post mortem finding of drowning?
| A |
Dribbling of saliva |
|
| B |
Cherry red discolouration |
|
| C |
Paltauf’s haemorrhages |
|
| D |
Pugilistic attitude |
All of the following are seen in the lungs in fresh water drowning, EXCEPT:
| A |
Lungs are ballooned and light |
|
| B |
Colour is pink |
|
| C |
Emphysematous |
|
| D |
No crepitus heard |
All of the following are seen in the lungs in fresh water drowning, EXCEPT:
| A |
Lungs are ballooned and light |
|
| B |
Colour is pink |
|
| C |
Emphysematous |
|
| D |
No crepitus heard |
|
Trait |
Freshwater drowning |
Seawater drowning |
|
Size and weight |
Ballooned but light |
Ballooned and heavy; weight upto 2 kg |
|
Colour |
Pale pink |
Purplish or bluish |
|
Consistency |
Emphysematous |
Soft and jelly like |
|
Shape after removal from the body |
Retained; do not collapse |
Not retained; tend to flatten out |
|
Sectioning |
Crepitus is heard Little froth and no fluid |
No crepitus. Copious fluid and froth |
Ref: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by K S Narayan Reddy, 27th edition, Page 326.
Petechial hemorhages in drowning is seen in :
| A |
Subpleural tissues of lung |
|
| B |
Submucosa of trachea |
|
| C |
Bronchioles |
|
| D |
Alveoli |
Petechial hemorhages in drowning is seen in :
| A |
Subpleural tissues of lung |
|
| B |
Submucosa of trachea |
|
| C |
Bronchioles |
|
| D |
Alveoli |
A i.e. Subpleural tissue of lung
The conclusion post mortem finding of death by drowning :
| A |
Cutis anserine |
|
| B |
Presence of water in the middle ear |
|
| C |
Edematous lungs |
|
| D |
All |
The conclusion post mortem finding of death by drowning :
| A |
Cutis anserine |
|
| B |
Presence of water in the middle ear |
|
| C |
Edematous lungs |
|
| D |
All |
B i.e. Presence of water in the middle ear
Most common consistent feature after a child has been taken out from pond died from drowning is:
| A |
Water in lungs alveoli |
|
| B |
Petechial haemorrhages |
|
| C |
Washer woman skin |
|
| D |
Cyanosis |
Most common consistent feature after a child has been taken out from pond died from drowning is:
| A |
Water in lungs alveoli |
|
| B |
Petechial haemorrhages |
|
| C |
Washer woman skin |
|
| D |
Cyanosis |
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.
In drowning, all of the following are seen EXCEPT:
March 2013 (c, d, e, f)
| A |
Wet voluminous lung |
|
| B |
Miosis |
|
| C |
Fine foam at the mouth |
|
| D |
Cutis anserina |
In drowning, all of the following are seen EXCEPT:
March 2013 (c, d, e, f)
| A |
Wet voluminous lung |
|
| B |
Miosis |
|
| C |
Fine foam at the mouth |
|
| D |
Cutis anserina |
Ans. B i.e. Miosis
In drowning, pupils are dilated
Best indicator of antemortem drowning is:
Delhi 07; TN 11
| A |
Froth in nostrils |
|
| B |
Cutis anserina |
|
| C |
Washerwoman’s hand |
|
| D |
Water in stomach |
Best indicator of antemortem drowning is:
Delhi 07; TN 11
| A |
Froth in nostrils |
|
| B |
Cutis anserina |
|
| C |
Washerwoman’s hand |
|
| D |
Water in stomach |
Ans. Froth in nostrils
Diagnostic of antemortum drowning ‑
| A |
Palatauf’s hemorrhage |
|
| B |
Weeds and grass in clenched hands |
|
| C |
Emphysema aquosum |
|
| D |
Water in esophagus |
Diagnostic of antemortum drowning ‑
| A |
Palatauf’s hemorrhage |
|
| B |
Weeds and grass in clenched hands |
|
| C |
Emphysema aquosum |
|
| D |
Water in esophagus |
Ans. is ‘b’ i.e., Weeds and grass in clenched hands
