The death casualty while voyage is unforeseeable. Therefore, the method to disposal of dead body while voyage which may assist the forensic investigation and minimise distress to family members. There is common misconception that the freeze was the best method to preserve the dead body.
In fact, frozen of dead body may tissues dehydrate and develops freezer burn and turn black. A rapid freezing of body could damage the intact of body and cause the post-mortem injury, including cranial fracture. Any damage of dead body may results difficulty of forensic investigation. Also the thaw of a frozen body will cause the body decompose quickly than normal and will cause the danger of losing vital information. This can have a negative impact on the interpretation of injuries, as well as on attempts at visual recognition by family members.
Refer to the UKMCA ‘Ship Captain’s Medical Guide’, it is suggested the body should be refrigerated at 4° Celsius If it is anticipated that the body will not be stored on board for longer than two months then. If the body is to be stored on board for longer than two months then freezing or embalming may be necessary.
(The details may refer to Chapter 12 of ‘Ship Captain’s Medical Guide’: The dying and the dead http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-shs_capt_guide_chap12.pdf)
We suggest our Clients to be cautious and carefully to handle on death body. If clients are in any doubt, please contact us or the relevant P&I Clubs for advice.
航行途中处理死亡尸体
航行途中发生死亡事件是无法预见的, 因此在航行途中处理死亡尸体的方法能有助于事后相关法医调查及减轻死者家属的痛苦。普遍存在的错误观念是，冰冻尸体是保存尸体的最佳办法。
事实上，冰冻尸体会导致人体组织脱水，尸体出现冻斑并致皮肤发黑。对尸体急冻处理有可能破坏尸体完整性并可能会造成死亡后的伤害，包括颅骨骨折。任何对尸体的损害都会使法医调查产生困难。同時, 尸体解冻会使的尸体比正常情況下更快腐烂并会损害尸体信息。这些情況对死者伤情的解释存在不良影响，同时也不利于死者家属辨认死者身份。
根据英国海事及海岸巡防队 《船长医疗指南》之建议, 当预计尸体于船上存放时间不超过两个月时，尸体应存放在4℃的温度内。如果尸体存放在船上的时间超过两个月，则可能有必要对尸体进行冷冻或防腐处理。(详细內容可访问《船长医疗指南》第12章：垂死之人以及已死之人 http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-shs_capt_guide_chap12.pdf )
我们建议客戶关注有关尸体处理的潜在风险, 如贵司有任可疑问请与我司或相关保赔协会寻求协助。
