Hemorrhage in cervikal muscles: A case of drowning in the River

I(center dot)ntroduction and Aim: Ecchymosis and intramuscular hemorrhages seen in the superficial and deep muscle groups of the neck are instructive findings in terms of detecting and defining the pressure and trauma applied to the neck area. In our study, we aimed to present a drowning case in which bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle bleeding was detected without any findings indicating neck compression or trauma. Case: 30-year-old man was found dead in a river near our city. He was referred to us by the prosecutor's office for an autopsy and to determine the cause of death. At autopsy; Bleeding was observed in the part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle close to the clavicle, under the fascia and within the muscle. Comprehensive examination, crime scene examination and autopsy findings were evaluated together. Bleeding that occurred in the neck region of the patient without external trauma was evaluated as intramuscular bleeding that rarely developed in the neck muscles during the drowning. Discussion and conclusion: Forced inspiratory muscles do not function during normal breathing. They function in physiological and pathological conditions where respiratory volume must be increased. Among these muscles, the sternocleidoimastoid muscle is responsible for increasing the toraks volume by lifting the sternum up. It is an expected situation to see forced inspiration-expiration and related findings in deaths due to drowning. However, intramuscular hemorrhages that may occur due to forced inspiration-expiration are rare findings. In such cases, external neck trauma and compression should be excluded before making a decision.

Journal

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE

Year

2026

Volume

117

ISSN

1752-928X

eISSN

1532-2009

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103038

WoS UID

WOS:001628263700002

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