NCJ Number
179909
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 2-3 Dated: June-September 1999 Pages: 97-106
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Freshwater-related deaths reported by the Coroners Service of British Columbia, Canada, in 1995 and 1996 were studied with respect to methods of determining the time of death and postmortem interval and other characteristics of the cases.
Abstract
These characteristics included the body recovery location, the death circumstances, the decompositional stage, artifacts found, and the presence or evidence or insects or arthropods. The research was prompted from recognition that water deaths are often the most difficult deaths to investigate, especially when the body has been immersed for a prolonged period of time. British Columbia and Canada have large numbers of waterways and extensive coastlines; water deaths due to recreational activities are common. In addition, the bodies of homicide victims are often placed in water. Results of the present analysis revealed that little is understood concerning the postmortem interval in cases of prolonged immersion. Faunal succession can give some indication of time of submergence and thus assist in determining the time of death. However, arthropod evidence was rarely noticed; most investigators are familiar only with common terrestrial carrion insects and probably missed aquatic insects that were probably present. Findings indicated that future death investigations involving water-related deaths would benefit from more education and training in the collection of insects and other aquatic invertebrates and understanding of decompositional stages. Tables, figures, and 31 references (Author abstract modified)