DROWNING DIAGNOSIS: EVOLUTION OF APPROACHES AND MODERN METHODS
The diagnostic of drowning is described in the literature as one of the most difficult in the field of forensic medicine. In fact, the external examination and the autopsy findings are in most of the cases not specific and the laboratory investigations are controversially appreciated by the scientific community. In this manuscript, the authors performed the analysis of literature dealing with historical and modern drowning diagnostic principles. The article depicts evolution of approaches to the given problem, starting from the most absurd medieval ideas and up to the recent methods widely used in worldwide forensic practice. The fullest classification of drowning is provided and detailed description of pathogenesis of each drowning type. Special attention is given to the fact finding of postmortem submersion of a body to the water, death in water and its definition as separate group of reflex drowning type. The key element of the research is differential diagnostics of drowning types. Despite of the absence of specific data and markers, the authors succeeded in identification of groups of criteria, most relevant to each type. In conclusion the author states modern microscopy techniques and elaborates on peculiarities of histological study and diatom test.