Aquatic Misadventures: Water Related Deaths in the Hamilton-Wentworth Region, 1989–1994

Bodies recovered from water may pose a dilemma to pathologists as the findings in drowning are not specific and the diagnosis is frequently made after the exclusion of natural disease and/or violence. The purpose of this study was to characterize drowning deaths in the Hamilton-Wentworth region over a six year period. Seventy-nine cases were identified from the files of the Gordon V. Torrance Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at the Hamilton General Hospital. In 71 cases post mortem reports and clinical records were available for review. Fifty bodies were recovered from fresh water, 14 from bathtubs and 7 from swimming pools. Forty-nine percent of the cases were recovered during the summer months and in 46% of the cases decomposition was a limiting factor in the post mortem examination. The ages in the bathtub deaths ranged from 3 months to 91 years. There were 10 females and 4 males. In 5 cases natural diseases such as coronary artery disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy were contributing factors. In 4 cases alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors. Two cases involved children less than a year and posed a special consideration due to the possibility of non-accidental immersion. Drowning deaths, and in particular bathtub drownings should be handled with caution: a careful search for natural diseases, alcohol and drugs as well as knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the death are necessary when proceeding with the post mortem examination on a body recovered from water.