Retrospective analysis of 238 cases of death by hypothermia
10.13618/j.issn.1001-5728.2025.02.018
- VernacularTitle:238例冻死案例的回顾性分析
- Author:
Bing'e QUAN
1
;
Jianbin FU
;
Lu YANG
Author Information
1. 安徽公安学院,安徽 合肥 230088
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Forensic Science;
Hypothermia;
Temperature
- From:
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine
2025;40(2):233-236,240
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the general forensic characteristics of deaths caused by hypothermia.Methods Through bibliometric methods,238 cases of hypothermia deaths were collected and statistically analyzed in terms of age,gender,mental state,location,and forensic autopsy findings.Results Among the 238 cases of hypothermia deaths,males outnumbered females(1.833:1);the 18～44 age group was the most frequent(58.82%);deaths of mentally ill patients,homeless individuals,and alcohol-intoxicated victims all occurred outdoors(61.76%);mortality rate was highest in February(36.13%),and the incidence in northern regions(97.90%)was higher than in southern areas;common autopsy findings included paradoxical undressing(57.56%),bright red lividity(53.36%),and gastrointestinal hemorrhage(40.34%);statistical analysis showed that all deaths after drug use,alcohol consumption,or sleeping pill ingestion occurred outdoors,with alcohol-related hypothermia deaths being the most common(12.61%).Conclusion Deaths by hypothermia present distinctive forensic characteristics that,when combined with crime scene investigation,pre-mortem mental state assessment,and climate data,can provide valuable reference for forensic identification.
