Hukkunähte

Hukkunähte, a Finnish term often translated as "drowning marks" or "water marks," refers to changes observed on the skin of a deceased individual who has been submerged in water. These changes are considered in forensic pathology to help determine the cause and circumstances of death, particularly when drowning is suspected.

One of the most common hukkunähte is a pale, macerated appearance of the skin, especially on the hands and feet, due to prolonged exposure to water. This maceration can lead to the peeling away of the outer layers of the epidermis, sometimes described as a "washerwoman's hands." Another characteristic is the presence of petechial hemorrhages, which are tiny red or purple spots, often seen in the eyes, nose, and mouth. These can result from the increased pressure within the blood vessels during the struggle to breathe underwater.

The post-mortem appearance of a body submerged in water can be influenced by several factors, including the temperature and salinity of the water, the duration of submersion, and the presence of live-in water versus post-mortem submersion. Differentiating between ante-mortem drowning and post-mortem submersion is crucial for a medico-legal investigation. Hukkunähte are one piece of evidence considered alongside other findings, such as lung congestion, water in the airways, and the presence of diatoms in tissues, to establish the cause of death.