NCJ Number
145540
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1993) Pages: 1-17
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Fifty-seven deaths occurring in or near fresh water in Brant County (Ontario) between 1969-92 were investigated and autopsied.
Abstract
In five cases, the death occurred in fresh water; in the others, death occurred on the river or canal bank. All but one were autopsied at Brantford General Hospital. The cases included 39 males and 18 females, of whom 47 were under age 39. Forty-eight of the deaths were classified as accidents, six as suicides, two as homicides, and one as an infanticide. Two accidents involved strong suspicions of foul play. Eight deaths of females occurred in home bathtubs, a hotel hot tub, or a toilet bowl. The interval between the death and the autopsy ranged from 2 hours to 9 months. Identification was difficult in six cases. Blood alcohol was measured in 67 percent of the cases. The cause of death was determined to be drowning in 48 cases, hypothermia in three, fractured skull and lacerated brain in one, strangulation in one, and electrocution in one. However, numerous factors make it difficult to reach an unequivocal conclusion in every case. Tables and 19 references