Technical Approach for the Postmortem Examination of SCUBA Diving Fatality.

Kim, Youn Shin

doi:2014.38.1.1

Korean J Leg Med > Volume 38(1); 2014 > Article

Review article

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2014;38(1):1-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.1.1 Published online February 28, 2014.

Technical Approach for the Postmortem Examination of SCUBA Diving Fatality.

Youn Shin Kim

Department of Forensic Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. ysk007fm@hotmail.com

Abstract

Recreational diving is an exciting and adventurous sport, but is also potentially hazardous. Despite its inherent hazards, an increasing number of people enjoy SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving; the number of diving-related accidents is therefore also likely to increase. Divers might face physical or psychological stresses from the unfamiliar or hostile underwater environment, which can lead to fatal accidents. To investigate deaths related to SCUBA diving, a forensic pathologist should understand the types and mechanisms of injuries and illnesses unique to SCUBA diving. Postmortem examination of diving fatalities is therefore a formidable task for most forensic pathologists because cases are sparse and the process requires an understanding of diving physiology, diving equipment, and the underwater environment. The primary aim of autopsies in SCUBA diving fatalities is to detect evidence of pulmonary barotrauma, intravascular gas, or pre-existing illnesses. Standard autopsy protocol for SCUBA diving-related deaths should include methods to detect intravascular gas and gas accumulation in the tissue or body cavity through plain radiographs or Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. Analysis of the gas components is also helpful for determining the origin of the gas. Here, the author proposes a practical method for performing an autopsy on a person who died while SCUBA diving.

Key Words: Scuba diving, Pulmonary barotrauma, Intravascular gas, Autopsy protocol