Analysis of the impact of external factors on the occurrence of morphological lesions in cases of death from hypothermia.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of macroscopic morphological lesions typical of death from hypothermia and to show their correlation with such factors as blood alcohol level, air temperature, age and number of layers of clothing. The analysis was performed based on protocols of autopsies performed in the years 1995-2009. The sample comprised 124 persons with a diagnosis of death from hypothermia. The results showed no correlation between the number of gastric erosions and the level of alcohol in blood or urine. However, an association was demonstrated between the presence of erosions and the number of layers of clothing. A positive correlation may indicate an increased sensation of cold by such persons and the resultant more intense vascular,constriction response occurring in the gastric mucosa.