Differences between accidents and suicides in river drowning cases based on forensic autopsy information in a part of Japan

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q3 MEDICINE, LEGAL

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-06 DOI:10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102705

Kurumi Kokusho , Ayako Himemiya-Hakucho , Izumi Takase

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The number of drowning deaths worldwide is increasing, and preventive measures are being developed on a global scale. However, unlike the global trend, elderly people account for most drowning deaths in Japan, which suggests that unique surveys and measures are required. In this study, we analyzed forensic autopsy cases of river drowning in a part of Japan to reveal the characteristics of the deaths and of finding of the deceased.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated river drowning cases for which a forensic autopsy was performed from 2012 to 2021 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Various factors were examined statistically for comparison of accidents and suicides.

Results

The accident group tended to be older and many had cognitive impairments or reduced mobility, while the suicide group tended to be younger, with a higher proportion in their 50 s and 60 s. Many cases in both groups occurred within 6 h of the last confirmed contact. The suicide cases were reported as missing more frequently than the accident cases. The accident cases tended to occur in smaller, more familiar rivers, while suicide cases tended to occur in larger rivers further from home. Preventive measures such as guardrails or fences were present in 81.8 % of the suicide cases and 22.0 % of the accident cases.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of timely searches, innovative preventive measures, and societal awareness focused on people with mental and cognitive problems to address the underlying factors contributing to drowning in rivers due to accident and suicide in Japan.

查看原文本刊更多论文

基于日本部分地区法医尸检信息的河中溺水事故与自杀的差异

背景全世界溺水死亡人数正在增加，目前正在全球范围内制定预防措施。然而，与全球趋势不同的是，在日本，老年人占溺水死亡的大多数，这表明需要进行独特的调查和措施。在本研究中，我们分析了日本部分地区河流溺水的法医尸检案例，以揭示死亡和发现死者的特征。方法回顾性调查2012年至2021年日本山口县进行法医尸检的河流溺水病例。为了比较事故和自杀，对各种因素进行了统计检查。结果事故组年龄偏大，许多人有认知障碍或行动能力下降，而自杀组年龄偏小，50 - 60岁的比例较高。两组中的许多病例发生在最后一次确诊接触后6小时内。据报道，自杀案件比事故案件失踪的频率更高。事故案件往往发生在更小、更熟悉的河流中，而自杀案件往往发生在离家更远的大河中。81.8%的自杀个案及22.0%的意外个案均设有护栏或围篱等预防措施。本研究强调了及时搜索，创新预防措施以及关注精神和认知问题人群的社会意识对于解决导致日本因事故和自杀而在河流中溺水的潜在因素的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Legal Medicine Nursing-Issues, Ethics and Legal Aspects

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

6.70%

发文量

119

审稿时长

7.9 weeks

期刊介绍： Legal Medicine provides an international forum for the publication of original articles, reviews and correspondence on subjects that cover practical and theoretical areas of interest relating to the wide range of legal medicine. Subjects covered include forensic pathology, toxicology, odontology, anthropology, criminalistics, immunochemistry, hemogenetics and forensic aspects of biological science with emphasis on DNA analysis and molecular biology. Submissions dealing with medicolegal problems such as malpractice, insurance, child abuse or ethics in medical practice are also acceptable.