Citation

Byard RW, Summersides G. J. Forensic Sci. 2011; 56(3): 643-644.

Affiliation

Discipline of Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Level 3 Medical School North Building, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Forensic Science SA, 21 Divett Place, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01735.x

PMID

21361955

Abstract

To determine whether vitreous humor sodium levels might be of use in evaluating deaths associated with immersion, samples of vitreous humor were prospectively evaluated at autopsy over a 4-year period from 2006 to 2009. There were 19 cases of saltwater immersion (age range 9-76 years; mean age 44 years; M:F, 2.8:1) and 16 freshwater immersions (age range 2-81 years; mean age 27 years; M:F, 2.2:1). In the group of saltwater drownings, vitreous humor sodium levels were elevated, ranging from 145 to 184 mM (mean = 160.2 ± 9.9 mM), and in the cases of freshwater drowning, the levels were reduced, ranging from 73 to 148 mM (mean = 129.8 ± 17 mM; p < 0.0001). Alterations in electrolyte levels may have been because of hemoconcentration or dilution from electrolyte fluxes in the lungs, or from passive diffusion during immersion. This study has demonstrated that vitreous sodium level is an easily performed test that may be a useful adjunct to the investigation of possible immersion deaths.

Language: en