An unusual finding in a body recovered from the sea

Abstract

Post-mortem injuries caused by terrestrial and aquatic animals are commonly encountered in forensic practice. We present a case where an autopsy of a body recovered from the sea showed post-mortem injuries and numerous crustaceans in the heart and lungs. They have gained access to these organs via oro-nasal route and subsequent penetration through mediastinal soft tissues and migration down the trachea. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.