American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a typical finding in drowning victims?

1. Presence of a cardiac arrest

2. Fluid in the lungs

3. External bruises

4. Signs of previous inhalation of water

The correct answer is: External bruises

The answer identifies external bruises as not a typical finding in drowning victims, which aligns with established forensic practices. In scenarios of drowning, autopsy findings usually reveal specific physiological responses to the event, predominantly involving the lungs and cardiovascular system. Typically, the presence of fluid in the lungs signifies drowning, as it indicates water inhalation, which is crucial in differentiating drowning from other forms of asphyxiation. Signs of previous inhalation of water also support the diagnosis of drowning by confirming the water entered the respiratory system prior to death. Cardiac arrest is common in drowning victims because submersion in water and lack of oxygen lead to hypoxia and can cause the heart to stop functioning. In contrast, external bruises are not commonly associated with drowning cases. While victims can have bruises due to struggles during the drowning event, these findings do not provide the same critical insight into the cause of death as the primary indicators related to water inhalation and respiratory failure. Therefore, the lack of typical external bruises in drowning victims helps distinguish drowning from other potential causes of death that might involve physical trauma.