Forensic Review of Hot Bath-Related Death in the Elderly: Focused on Japanese Studies

Gi Yeong Huh; Eui Yong Kim

doi:10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.2.33

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Huh and Kim: Forensic Review of Hot Bath-Related Death in the Elderly: Focused on Japanese Studies

Original Article

Korean J Leg Med 2018;42(2):33-38.

Published online: 8 January 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.2.33

Forensic Review of Hot Bath-Related Death in the Elderly: Focused on Japanese Studies

Gi Yeong Huh¹, Eui Yong Kim²

¹Department of Forensic Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea

²Department of Physiology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Correspondence to Gi Yeong Huh Department of Forensic Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 49 Busandaehak-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan 50612, Korea Tel: +82-51-510-8058 Fax: +82-51-510-8143 E-mail: gyhuh@pusan.ac.kr

Revised 30 March 201830 March 2018 Accepted 21 May 2018

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Hot bath-related deaths occur occasionally in Korea, particularly in the winter season among elderly people. The postmortem determination of the cause and manner of death is often difficult because the investigation depends predominantly on postmortem external examination. Moreover, the pathogenesis of sudden death during immersion in a hot bath tub is not easily explained. Confusion regarding the manner of death, whether accidental or natural, causes some conflicts in the compensation of life insurance. This study reviewed the literature, particularly Japanese studies about epidemiology, pathophysiology, and the disputes regarding determination of the manner of death. We concluded that the cause and manner of death are not as simple as only natural disease or drowning; there are complicated cases mixed with accidental and natural causes. Extensive epidemiological studies and thorough investigation, including full autopsy and toxicologic studies, are essential for comprehensive understanding of hot bath-related deaths in Korea.

Keywords: Baths, Aged, Sudden death, Physiopathology, Cause of death

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