Terminal burrowing behaviour — a phenomenon of lethal hypothermia

@article{Carter2005TerminalBB,
  title={Terminal burrowing behaviour — a phenomenon of lethal hypothermia},
  author={Naomi Carter and M. A. Green and Christopher Mark Milroy and J. C. Clark and V. Schneider and Markus Alexander Rothschild},
  journal={International Journal of Legal Medicine},
  year={2005},
  volume={108},
  pages={116}
}
Between 1978 and 1994, 69 cases of death due to lethal hypothermia were examined in our Institute. In addition to the common findings associated with hypothermia we especially wanted to examine the so-called paradox reaction which refers to the undressing of persons in a state of severe (lethal) hypothermia. This is obviously the result of a peripheral vasodilatation effecting a feeling of warmth. In our material this paradoxical undressing occurred in 25% of the cases and nearly all exhibited… 
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Background Citations
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Results Citations
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27 Citations

Lethal hypothermia – a sometimes elusive diagnosis

The following discussion looks at the complexities of the hypothermia diagnosis and points out the gaps in knowledge which could result in under diagnosis.

Postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia

A review of the literature covering the significance of different postmortem investigations that are associated with hypothermia fatalities is presented, finding Immunohistochemistry, postmortem imaging, and molecular pathology have shown promising results, although at present, they do not provide pathognomonic signs of fatal hypotheria.

Thrombomodulin and catecholamines as post-mortem indicators of hypothermia

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Suspected paradoxical undressing in a homicide case

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The case reiterates the importance of careful investigation and autopsy performance in cases that are suspicious for homicide, and represents a unique presentation of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle, a lesion that is familiar to forensic pathologists.

Fatal hypothermia: an analysis from a sub-arctic region

With the identification of groups at high risk for fatal hypothermia, it should be possible to reduce risk through thoughtful interventions, particularly related to the highest risk subjects (rural, living alone, alcohol-imbibing, and psychiatric diagnosis-carrying) citizens.

Biochemical background of ethanol-induced cold susceptibility.

Hypothermia and hyperthermia medicolegal investigation of morbidity and mortality from exposure to environmental temperature extremes.

New guidelines for forensic investigation into environmental temperature extremes that contribute to an important seasonal grouping of morbidity and mortality in the United States are reviewed.

Death following extreme temperature exposure: Histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical markers

Although this study did not find a specific microscopic marker, hepatocyte vacuolisation, the Armanni–Ebstein phenomenon and pancreatic CgA positivity, taken together, may be useful tools to confirm hypo- and hyperthermia-related deaths, in addition to circumstantial and macroscopic findings.

References

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“Terminal burrowing behaviour” —a phenomenon of lethal hypothermia

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Tod durch Unterkühlung

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