What would a coroner see in a body to determine that the person died of hypothermia? This person fell out of a boat. Thanks!
It might be easier to determine drowning rather than hypothermia
http://medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR005.html
(From http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/425/425lect12.htm)
DROWNING results from the inhalation of water which causes choking which in turn causes the rapid formation of mucus in the throat and windpipe. The spread of this thick, foamy mucus is actually what ceases respiration, and victims (even in some drug overdose cases) will be identifiable by the presence of a “foam cone” covering the mouth and nostrils. In some cases, “dry drowning” occurs because shock causes enlargement of the larynx, and no fluids will be found in the lungs or stomach as is typical of your more common drowning where lots of liquid (as well as marine life) is often present. The classic drowning goes through five stages:
surprise (person is stunned and inhales water)
holding breath (person tries to hold breath while struggling)
pink foam (person inhales deeply & pink foam is expelled)
respiratory arrest (thoracic movement and pupils dilate)
final struggle (3-4 quick attempts to breath and find air)
For hypothermia, there may be scarring ithe stomach, paradoxical undressing, etc. as per this article: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/175_12_171201/cala/cala.html
Thanks, Doc! Whodathunkit?