engleski

THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG CONSUMPTION IN SEA DROWNING FATALITIES

The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of alcohol and drug consumption in all types of sea drowning lethal cases occurred in Split-Dalmatian County from September 2001 to Auguste 2006 that were autopsied (89) and toxicological analyzed (61). The autopsy reports of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Split University Hospital and School of Medicine were reviewed. Alcohol was regarded as a contributive death factor if the blood concentration was positive (BAC > 0.5 g/kg). Most of the victims were elderly males. Accidents, as a type of violent deaths, were predominated. In 15 cases the concentration of alcohol in blood was positive (2 cases with 0.5-1.5 g/kg ; 7 cases with 1.5-2.5 g/kg ; 5 cases with 2.5-3.5 g/kg and 1 case with BAC > 3.5 g/kg). No victims were intoxicated by any kinds of drugs at the time of their death. It could be concluded that in drowning fatalities alcohol plays a minor role, while drug consumption has no significance.

alcohol; drowning; death; toxicology

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