Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

446 16 Drowning
Manner of Death
A large percentage of drowning deaths are accidental. Infants, toddlers, and young
children represent a large population at risk for such deaths. Bathtub drownings
frequently involve the very youngest in this age group. Leaving a young child unattended
(or with an older but still young sibling) in a bathtub can be considered a
disaster waiting to happen (Fig. 16.16). Despite the warnings present on most containers,
young children continue to die when they accidentally plunge head-first into
water-filled containers, such as a 5-gallon paint bucket. Small children wandering
into un-secured swimming pools or other bodies of water is another frequent occurrence
(Disc Image 16.12). In older age groups, accidental drownings typically occur
in association with intoxication, or in situations where someone does not properly
anticipate the danger of the particular body of water where the drowning occurs.
This latter scenario is particularly common with flowing bodies of water (rivers),
where, on the surface, the river may appear quite calm, but in reality, under the
surface, very strong and dangerous currents can sweep away the best of swimmers.
Alternatively, persons may break through ice (again, particularly over flowing water)
and subsequently drown. Occasionally, an underlying natural disease process, such
as myocarditis, or a seizure disorder, initiates the accidental drowning. In a like
manner, accidental trauma can initiate the drowning process.
Fig. 16.16 An infant who was the victim of an accidental bathtub drowning
Homicidal drownings are rare, but known to occur. Obviously, persons who do
not know how to swim are the most vulnerable to such killings. As such, perhaps
the most vulnerable age group is infants and young children. Others at risk would
be those who are disabled or intoxicated.
Suicidal drowning deaths are rare, but are probably more common than most
people might think. As with other suicides, careful scene investigation, as well as
overall death investigation, are important in identifying such cases. A small percentage
of suicidal drowning victims will actually attempt to use some sort of anchoring
device or weight. As such, the mere presence of something like a concrete block