Suicide drowning in the non-coastal territory of Milan

Introduction: A cadaver in water sets a relevant issue for the forensic pathologist, concerning the differential diagnosis between homicide, suicide, accidental event, and natural death in water. In the present study, the drowning suicides in a non-coastal territory are analyzed, discussing the main diagnostic difficulties, the preventive intervention, and the strategies for outlining the profile of a “mean victim” that is at risk of committing suicide by drowning. Methods: The cases of drowning suicide were extrapolated by the database of the 21,472 autopsies performed at the Civic Morgue of Milan, in the period between 1993 and 2013. Results: Drowning represents the fifth cause of suicide registered in Milan for the study period, with 139 cases (3.8 % of all suicides). Victims were mainly elderly males (61–80 years old) with a history of psychiatric diseases in pharmacological therapy; they committed suicide mainly during summer, in the rivers. The diatoms test was positive in 82 cases (59 %) and highlighted typical taxa of fresh water. Alcohol and illicit drugs were not noticed, at high levels. Conclusion: Drowning suicide occurs even in a non-coastal territory, far from the sea, if there is an easy access to the water: specifically, many natural and artificial waterways in the Milan district represent a high-risk factor predisposing the drowning suicide.