Secondary Drowning
Definition
Death from delayed non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema occurring hours to days after an immersion and aspiration event, even if the victim was apparently resuscitated. Certified as drowning at autopsy with histological evidence of diffuse alveolar damage.
Related terms
- Diatom Test
- A laboratory test for ante-mortem submersion in which bone marrow (from sealed femur diaphysis) is acid-digested and the diatom species identified in...
- Dry Drowning
- Drowning in which laryngospasm seals the glottis, preventing water entry into the lungs. The victim asphyxiates without pulmonary aspiration. Autopsy shows non-specific...
- Frustule
- The silica cell wall of a diatom, composed of two overlapping valves (epitheca and hypotheca). Frustules are taxonomically distinctive, chemically resistant to...
- Pollard 1998 Protocol
- The standardised diatom test protocol published in Forensic Science International by A.M. Pollard (1998), specifying acid digestion conditions, wash steps, microscopy method,...
- Vitreous Sodium
- The sodium concentration in the vitreous humour of the eye; reduced below normal in freshwater drowning (systemic haemodilution) and elevated in saltwater...
- Washerwoman Hands
- White, wrinkled, macerated skin on the hands and feet from prolonged water immersion. Indicates duration of immersion, not ante-mortem versus post-mortem submersion.
- Wet Drowning
- Drowning in which water is aspirated into the airways and lungs during the immersion event. Produces over-distended pale lungs, frothy exudate, and...
Explained in
- Drowning: Wet, Dry, Diatom Test and Vitreous MarkersDeath from delayed non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema occurring hours to days after an immersion and aspiration event, even if the victim was apparently resuscit...