Neck and Scleral Hemorrhage in Drowning�

• Autores: Russell T. Alexander, Jeffrey M. Jentzen
• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 56, Nº. 2, 2011, págs. 522-525
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Keywords:forensic science;drowning;petechiae;hemorrhage;strap muscle;forensic pathology Abstract: The determination of the cause and manner of death for a body recovered from the water can be difficult because of a lack of autopsy findings specific for drowning. This case report describes a 30-year-old man found submerged at the bottom of a hotel pool. An autopsy revealed scleral hemorrhages and fascial hemorrhages of multiple muscles of the anterior and posterior neck bilaterally. No evidence of traumatic injury was on the surface of the body. An investigation by law enforcement found no evidence of foul play. The occurrence of petechial and neck hemorrhage in a body recovered from the water is controversial, and a review of this literature will be given. We suggest that fascial hemorrhages of the muscles of the neck, as well as cephalic hemorrhages, can be explained by drowning-related elevated central venous pressure that is communicated to the head through the valveless veins of the neck.