# Regarding the missing 777.  Will an autopsy determine how and when the passengers died?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 22, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300 "2014-03-22T17:22:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300/21 "2014-03-24T16:41:17Z")

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If the wreckage is located, and if any of it can be salvaged, there is a strong likelihood that there will be a stopped timepiece displaying the moment of impact.

That will then lead to a timing of events in terms of communications. This may even give further indications of where to look for more information, such as radar tracks.

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300/22 "2014-03-24T16:46:29Z")

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Does that even work with quartz movements? Certainly not digitals. Or with water-resistant housings?

How likely is it that any of the passengers were even wearing mechanical watches? Who even does, anymore?

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**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300/23 "2014-03-24T17:42:13Z")

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> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> How likely is it that any of the passengers were even wearing mechanical watches? Who even does, anymore?

I do, every day. I assume many business travelers would do so as well.

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**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-the-missing-777-will-an-autopsy-determine-how-and-when-the-passengers-died/684300/24 "2014-03-24T17:42:51Z")

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> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> Does that even work with quartz movements? Certainly not digitals. Or with water-resistant housings?
> 
> How likely is it that any of the passengers were even wearing mechanical watches? Who even does, anymore?

Was there a Swiss passenger?  
Mechanical Hand watches, even if electric (especially if electric) will stop when the watch is immersed (or when it hits 33m, depending…)

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