In a drowning death, small light-red haemorrhages are found beneath the pleura, particularly along the interlobar fissures of the lungs. What is the correct name and significance of this finding?

• A Tardieu spots, indicating slow asphyxia
• B Paltauf's haemorrhages, supporting vital drowning ✓
• C Vibert's patches, indicating post-mortem stasis
• D Wyatt's haemorrhages, indicating pulmonary barotrauma

Explanation

Paltauf's haemorrhages are subpleural, light-red haemorrhages seen especially along the interlobar fissures in drowning, caused by overdistension and rupture of alveolar walls during agonal respiratory effort. They support that breathing occurred underwater. Tardieu spots are petechiae of slow asphyxial deaths generally and are not specific to drowning, while Vibert's patches are subepicardial haemorrhages along coronary vessels. Wyatt's haemorrhages relate to pulmonary fat embolism, not drowning.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 35th (Narayan Reddy) ed.

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