Washerwoman Hands
Definition
White, wrinkled, macerated skin on the hands and feet from prolonged water immersion. Indicates duration of immersion, not ante-mortem versus post-mortem submersion.
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,...
- Secondary Drowning
- Death from delayed non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema occurring hours to days after an immersion and aspiration event, even if the victim was apparently...
- Vitreous Sodium
- The sodium concentration in the vitreous humour of the eye; reduced below normal in freshwater drowning (systemic haemodilution) and elevated in saltwater...
- 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 MarkersWhite, wrinkled, macerated skin on the hands and feet from prolonged water immersion. Indicates duration of immersion, not ante-mortem versus post-mortem subme...