Neonate Deaths in the Toilets

Korean J Leg Med 2017;41:145-149

1. Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,

2. Division of Forensic Investigation, National Forensic Service Seoul Institute, Seoul, Korea

E-mail : sanchee@korea.kr

Investigating neonatal deaths in the toilets is challenging for forensic pathologists. During the postmortem examination, they should evaluate whether the baby was alive or a stillbirth and determine any causes of death, such as prenatal cause, infection, anatomical abnormalities, birth or other blunt force injury, drowning, and asphyxia. We retrieved two cases of neonatal deaths in the toilets and reviewed their autopsy findings and circumstances. However, findings from the postmortem examination were insignificant. Their lung examinations revealed non-expanded alveoli, and hydrostatic tests were negative. However, the cases cannot be confirmed as stillbirths because of the possibility that they might be alive for a short period of time after birth and then exposed into the water in the toilet or to accidental or non-accidental asphyxia or that they might have died because of neglect. These cases illustrate that the death scene and the associated circumstances should be meticulously and carefully investigated.

Key Words: Infant, newborn; Perinatal death; Forensic pathology