Freshwater-Related Death Investigations in British Columbia in 1995–1996. A Review Of Coroners Cases

Abstract

ABSTRACTWater deaths are frequently the most difficult deaths to investigate, especially when the decedent has been immersed for a prolonged period of time. British Columbia in particular and Canada in general, have a large number of waterways and extensive coastlines, so water deaths due to recreational activities are, unfortunately, common. As well, homicide victims are frequently disposed of in water. Postmortem interval determinations are vital to an investigation, but are particularly difficult in water deaths. This paper looks at water-related deaths reported by the B.C. Coroners Service in 1995 and 1996. For each case, estimated postmortem interval, recovery location, circumstances surrounding the death, decompositional stage, artifacts found and insect/arthropod presence or evidence were recorded. From this information, it was apparent that little is understood concerning postmortem interval in prolonged immersion cases. Faunal succession can give some indication of time of submergence, hence assist in time of death. However, arthropod evidence was rarely noticed. More education and training in collection of aquatic invertebrates (including insects) and understanding of decompositional stages will benefit future investigations.