The body of a 41-year-old male is found caught on the rocks of a slow-flowing river. The body is lying on its right side. The decedent is fully clothed, including shoes. There is obvious evidence of external trauma to the body, consisting of facial lacerations. No evidence of blood is found on the rocks. The portion of the face and head in the water do not demonstrate any evidence of bleeding, however a minimal amount of blood is found in the right external ear canal. Upon examination in the morgue, obvious facial fractures are found on x-ray and grossly. A faint fern-like discoloration is also noted over the superior aspects of the anterior chest. a) What possibilities exist that would account for this patients death? b) What further findings do you believe might be found at autopsy?
The body of a 41-year-old male is found caught on the rocks of a slow-flowing river. The body is lying on its right side. The decedent is fully clothed, including shoes. There is obvious evidence of external trauma to the body, consisting of facial lacerations. No evidence of blood is found on the rocks. The portion of the face and head in the water do not demonstrate any evidence of bleeding, however a minimal amount of blood is found in the right external ear canal. Upon examination in the morgue, obvious facial fractures are found on x-ray and grossly. A faint fern-like discoloration is also noted over the superior aspects of the anterior chest.
a) What possibilities exist that would account for this patients death?
b) What further findings do you believe might be found at autopsy?
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