The knowledge whether a dead fetus was a still birth or died after coming into the environment (Live Birth) is very important in Forensic Science. This is important specially in countries where killing of neonate in the name of black magic is prevalent. Similarly, killing of female fetus/ newborn is also common in some part of the world. Killing a newborn is Crime in most part of the world and differentiation between the two can be made based upon the study of the lungs in the postmortem.
Postmortem finding of a respired and unrespired lungs have many differences. The unrespired lungs is parenchymatous like a liver occupying lesser volume. Being condensed and no air particle inside it tends to sink in the water with density higher than that of water.
Respired lungs on the other hand have spongy elastic appearance with lesser density and hence floats in water. It is expanded covering the heart and with respiration the cardiac circulation changes and the patency of the vessels is maintained making it ooze with frothy blood when cut into pieces.
The following are the characters based upon which the differentiation can be made between the two.
Character
|
Unrespired Lungs
|
Respired Lungs
|
Weight in relation to body weight
|
1/70
|
1/35
|
Volume
|
Small
|
Large
and covers the heart
|
Consistency
|
Liver Like: Dense firm non crepitant
|
Soft, spongy, elastic, Crepitant
|
Extension
|
Up to
the level of 4th and 5th rib
|
Up to
the level of 6th and 7th rib
|
Specific gravity
|
1.04
|
0.94
|
Margin
|
Sharp
|
Rounded
|
Color
|
Uniform reddish
|
Mottled/ marbled appearance
|
Air vesicle
|
Not
inflated
|
Inflated
|
Section
|
Little froth less blood exudates on pressure
|
Abundant frothy blood exudates
|
Breslow life test
|
Whole
or part sinks
|
Expanded
|
Microscopy
|
||
Blood vessel
|
Less
patent
|
More
Patent
|
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