Identification of the Cause of Death of a Corpse in Water through Immersion Time Combined with Tide Mark on Neck and Material Mechanic Measurement for Suspicious Rope of Strangulation

YingLin Zhu; ZeYu Chen; Xiao Jun Yu; Bo Li; YanHui Mao

Identification of the Cause of Death of a Corpse in Water through Immersion Time Combined with Tide Mark on Neck and Material Mechanic Measurement for Suspicious Rope of Strangulation

YingLin Zhu¹, **ZeYu Chen¹, Xiao Jun Yu^1*, Bo Li², YanHui Mao³**

¹Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China

²Qiushi Judicial Appraisal Center, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China

³Weishi Judicial Appraisal Center, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China

^*Corresponding author: Xiao Jun Yu, Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College Shantou, Guangdong Province, China

Received Date: 10 November 2022

Accepted Date: 14 November 2022

Published Date: 16 November 2022

Citation: Zhu YL, Chen ZY, Yu XJ, Li B, Mao YH (2022) Identification of the Cause of Death of a Corpse in Water through Immersion Time Combined with Tide Mark on Neck and Material Mechanic Measurement for Suspicious Rope of Strangulation. Ann Case Report. 7: 1037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29011/2574-7754.101037

Abstract

In some cases, the cause of cadavers in water are not drowning. Medical examiners need to identify whether he died caused by drowning or was dumped into water after death caused by other factors. This paper analyzes a related case where the cause of death was reported by medical examiner who performed the anatomy “unidentified“ since he thought the victim’s body had become highly decomposed and other experts believed that the victim unconsciously fell into the sea due to the drug he had taken into the sea and this was an accident. Family members did not satisfy with the above opinions and entrusted us to give our advice. After comparing the putrefaction signs on cadaver from scene and anatomy photos, we deemed that the time of death, time of body immersion and the time reported missing were not consistent, combined with the wound on neck and the material mechanical analysis results of broken earphone found in scene, we confirmed this was a murder, the victim suffered strangulation by others with earphone and then was thrown into the sea.

In this case none of persons i.e. victims and experts involved providing their advice are going to be named.

Keywords: Corpse in water; Tide mark; Strangulation; Material mechanic measurement; Forensic pathology