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Forensic investigation of drowning deaths in the Northeastern and Southeastern Attica and Evoia, during 2021-2023
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DOI：10.1186/s41935-026-00519-8.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Background Drowning deaths constitute a rather significant public health issue according to the W.H.O. Demographic factors, substance intake, and psre-existing pathologic conditions seem to affect the incidence of drowning deaths, which occur during various activities and manifest via various manners of death. The objective of this paper is to describe the characteristics of drowning deaths in Athens, Greece, focusing on several demographic factors, as well as behavioral and pathological conditions. Results We conducted a retrospective analysis of drowning death cases examined between 2021 and 2023. A total of 98 autopsies, all performed by the authors, were included. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA/SE version 16 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided P value less than 0.05. Descriptive statistics were presented for each variable, using numbers and percentages to summarize categorical data. To compare categorical variables, the Pearson chi-square test was used. In cases where the sample size was small and the conditions for the Pearson chi-square test were not met, Fisher's exact test was employed instead. Statistical analysis revealed that most victims were male and over 67 years of age. The older group (over 67 years old) victims were recovered during daytime (p = 0.017) and mainly during the weekdays (p = 0.009). Cardiovascular conditions were diagnosed both in the older group (p = 0.029) and in the obese victim group (Fisher's 0.005), while psychiatric conditions were more common in females (p = 0.05). Toxicological analysis of the younger group (< 67 years old) was more commonly positive for substance use (p = 0.029). Regarding the place of drowning, the seashore was the most common location (89.80%), with the obese group being especially recovered from this specific location (Fisher's 0.048) during swimming (Fisher's 0.032). Conclusion Drowning was found to be primarily a random event with a male predominance. Most individuals died by drowning while swimming near the seashore, during the warmer months of the year. Females were more often diagnosed with psychiatric pathologies. Younger individuals drowned more commonly during nighttime and weekends when they are off work, in contrast to older individuals. Additionally, they used substances affecting the central nervous system more often.
Keywords:
Greece
Forensic medicine
Autopsy
Drowning
Demographics
Toxicology
Pathology
Journal
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IF:
1.3
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56
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673
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