The status of the issue of forensic medical diagnosis of drowning and determination of the duration of the corpse's stay in the water (literature review)

The article discusses the status of the issue of forensic medical diagnosis of drowning and the establishment of the duration of the corpse's stay in the water. The results of research that confirm the effectiveness of using modern technologies and methods in forensic medicine, contributing to the investigation of the event of the discovery of a corpse in the water, are discussed. With regard to determining the duration of a body's stay in water, the study of maceration of the skin remains the main one. But it is possible to use other methods. For example, it has been found that hair stabilizes its mass after a certain period of exposure to an aquatic environment, but specialized equipment is required to perform such an analysis. The influence of temperature on rotting processes, the rate of which varies depending on environmental conditions, is also considered. An important aspect is the use of histology and microbiological methods to determine the time spent by a corpse in water, as well as the role of algae and other organisms in the decomposition process. The article highlights the need for an integrated approach in forensic medical practice to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of drowning and establish the causes of death.