Korean J Leg Med.  2017 Aug;41(3):78-82. 10.7580/kjlm.2017.41.3.78.

Drowning with Bound Wrists: Report of Two Autopsy Cases

• Lee T
• Park HD
• Jung YH
• Kim JH
• Ha H

• KMID: 2389518
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2017.41.3.78

Abstract

Drowned bodies with bound wrists are occasionally observed in forensic practice. Suicidal victims may bind their hands or feet with a rope to ensure success of the suicide attempt, but the possibility of homicidal drowning cannot be excluded. We report on two autopsy cases of drowning with bound wrists. A 51-year-old man (case 1) was found in the bathroom beside the bathtub, with his head under the water in the bathtub. His wrists were tied with a green bath towel. An 83-year-old man (case 2) was found dead in a reservoir. His wrists were loosely bound with blue nylon traps on the back, and both ankles were loosely tied with socks, with a simple knot on the left ankle. At autopsy, the lungs were hyperinflated, and foamy fluid was exuded from the bronchi in both cases.

Keyword

Drowning; Suicide; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Aged, 80 and over
Ankle
Autopsy*
Baths
Bronchi
Drowning*
Foot
Hand
Head
Humans
Lung
Middle Aged
Nylons
Suicide
Water
Wrist*
Nylons
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Case 1. (A) The deceased was found aside of the bathtub in the bathroom, with his head under the water in the bathtub. (B) His wrists were tied with a green bath towel.

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  Fig. 2 Case 2. Ropes and knots of wrists (A) and ankles (B).

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  Fig. 3 Case 2. Lungs were hyperinflated (emphysema aquosum, A) and foamy fluid was exuded from bronchus (B).

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