若生前溺水尸首，男仆卧，女仰卧。头面仰，两手、两脚俱向前。口合、眼开闭不定，
两手拳握。腹肚胀，拍着响。(落水则手开，眼微开，肚皮微胀。投水则手握，眼合，腹内
急胀)两脚底皱白，不胀。头髻紧。头与发际、手脚爪缝或脚着鞋则鞋内各有沙泥。口鼻内
有水沫，及有些小淡色血污，或有 擦损处，此是生前溺水之验也。(盖其人未死必须
争命，气脉往来，搐水入肠，故两手自然拳曲，脚罅缝各有沙泥，口鼻有水沫流出，腹内有
水胀也)
若检覆迟，即尸首经风日吹晒，遍身上皮起，或生白 。
若身上无痕，面色赤，此是被人倒提水 死。
若尸面色微赤，口鼻内有泥水沫，肚内有水，腹肚微胀，真是淹水身死。
若因病患溺死，则不计水之深浅可以致死，身上别无它故。
若疾病身死，被人抛掉在水内，即口鼻无水沫，肚内无水，不胀，面色微黄，肌肉微瘦
若因患倒落泥渠内身死者，其尸口眼开，两手微握，身上衣裳并口、鼻、耳、发际并有
青泥污者，须脱下衣裳，用水淋洗，酒喷其尸；被泥水淹浸处即肉色微白，肚皮微胀，指甲
有泥。
若被人殴打杀死，推在水内，入深则胀，浅则不甚胀。其尸肉色带黄不白，口眼开、两
手散，头发宽慢。肚皮不胀，口、眼、耳、鼻无水沥流出，指爪罅缝并无沙泥，两手不拳缩
，两脚底不皱白却虚胀。身上有要害致命伤损处，其痕黑色，尸有微瘦。临时看验，若检得
身上有损伤处，录其痕迹，虽是投水，亦合押合干人赴官司推究。
诸自投井、被人推入井、自失脚落井，尸首大同小异。皆头目有被砖石磕擦痕，指甲、
毛发有沙泥，腹胀，侧覆卧之则口内水出，别无他故，只作落井身死，即投井、推入在其间
矣。所谓落井，小异者∶推入与自落井则手开、眼微开，腰身间或有钱物之类；自投井则眼
合、手握，身间无物。
大凡有故入井，须脚直下；若头在下，恐被人赶逼，或它人推送入井。若是失脚，须看
失脚处土痕。
自投河、被人推入河，若水稍深阔，则无磕擦沙泥等事；若水浅狭，亦与投井、落井无
异。大抵水深三、四尺，皆能淹杀人；验之果无它故，只作落水身死。则自投、推入在其间
矣。若身有绳索及微有痕损可疑，则宜检作被人谋害置水身死。不过立限捉贼，切勿恤一捕
限，而贻罔测之忧。
诸溺河池，(行运者谓之河，不行运者谓之池)检验之时，先问原申人∶早晚见尸在水内
?见时便只在今处?或自漂流而来?若是漂流而来，即问是东西南北?又如何流到此便住?如何
申官?如称见其人落水，即问∶当时曾与不曾救应?若曾救应，其人未出水时已死，或救应上
岸才死?或即申官，或经几时申官?
若在江河、陂潭、池塘间，难以打量四至，只看尸所浮在何处。如未浮，打捞方出，声
说在何处打捞见尸。池塘或坎阱有水处可以致命者，须量见浅深丈尺，坎阱则量四至。江河
、陂潭尸起浮或见处地岸，并池塘、坎阱系何人所管?地名何处?
诸溺井之人，检验之时，亦先问原申人∶如何知得井内有人?初见有人时，其人死未；
既知未死?因何不与救应?其尸未浮，如何知得井内有人?若是屋下之井，即问身死人自从早
晚不见?却如何知在井内?凡井内有人，其井内自然先有水沫，以此为验。
量井之四至，系何人地上?其地名甚处?若溺尸在底，则不必量，但约深若干丈尺，方
尸出。
尸在井内满胀，则浮出尺余，水浅则不出。若出，看头或脚在上、在下，先量尺寸；不
出，亦以丈竿量到尸近边尺寸，亦看头或脚在上、在下。
检溺死之尸，水浸多日，尸首 胀，难以显见致死之因，宜申说∶头发脱落、头目 胀
、唇口番张，头面连遍身上下皮血并皆一概青黑、褪皮。验是本人在井或河内，死后水浸，
经隔日数，致有此。今来无凭检验本人沿身有无伤损它故，又定夺年颜、形状不得。只检得
本人口鼻内有沫，腹胀。验得前件尸首委是某处水溺身死，其水浸更多日，无凭检验，即不
用申说致命因根据。
初春雪寒，经数日方浮，与春、夏、秋、末不侔。
凡溺死之人，若是人家奴婢或妻女，未落水先已曾被打，在身有伤；今次又的然见得是
自落水，或投井身死，于格目内亦须分明具出伤痕，定作被打复溺水身死。
投井死人如不曾与人交争，验尸时面目头额，有利刃痕，又依旧带血似生前痕，此须看
井内有破瓷器之属，以致伤着。人初入井时，气尚未绝，其痕依旧带血，若验作生前刃伤，
岂不利害。
如果是在生前溺水而死的尸体，男性通常俯卧，女性通常仰卧。头部和面部朝上，双手双脚都向前伸展。嘴巴闭合，眼睛睁开或闭合不定，双手握拳。腹部肿胀，拍打时有响声。（如果是落入水中，则手掌张开，眼睛微睁，腹部轻微肿胀；如果是投水自尽，则双手紧握，眼睛闭合，腹部迅速胀起）脚底皮肤皱缩发白，腹部不胀。头发束得紧。头与发际线、手脚指甲缝或脚穿鞋的地方（鞋内）会有沙泥。口鼻内有水沫，以及少量淡色血污，或者有擦伤处，这是生前溺水的验证。（大概是因为人未死时必须挣扎求生，气脉运行，抽搐着将水吸入肠道，所以双手自然弯曲握拳，脚趾缝里有沙泥，口鼻有水沫流出，腹部因进水而胀起）
如果检查时间较晚，尸体经过风吹日晒，全身表皮起泡，或者生出白斑。
如果身上没有伤痕，面色红润，这是被人倒提着浸入水中致死。
如果尸体面色微红，口鼻内有泥水沫，肚内有水，腹部微胀，这确实是淹水而死。
如果是因病溺死，无论水深浅都能致死，身上没有其他毛病。
如果是因病死后被人抛入水中，则口鼻无水沫，肚内无水，不胀，面色微黄，肌肉微瘦。
如果是患病倒在泥沟里致死，其尸体口眼张开，双手微握，身上的衣服以及口、鼻、耳、发际都有青泥污垢，必须脱下衣服，用水淋洗，用酒喷洒尸体；被泥水淹没处的肉色微白，腹部微胀，指甲里有泥。
如果是被人殴打杀死后推入水中，入水深则腹部肿胀，入水浅则肿胀不明显。尸体肉色带黄而不白，口眼张开，双手散开，头发松散。腹部不胀，口、眼、耳、鼻没有水液流出，手指甲缝里没有沙泥，双手不握拳收缩，脚底不皱白却虚肿。身上有要害致命损伤处，痕迹呈黑色，尸体消瘦。现场检验时，如果发现身上有损伤处，记录其痕迹，即使是投水，也必须押送相关责任人到官府推究。
凡是自投井、被人推入井、自己失足落井，尸体大体相同小异。都是头目有被砖石磕碰擦伤的痕迹，指甲、毛发上有沙泥，腹胀，侧身或俯卧时口内出水，没有其他毛病，只认定为落井身死，那么是投井还是推入就在其中了。所谓落井的小差异：被人推入和自己失足落井则是手张开、眼睛微睁，腰间有时有钱物之类；自己投井则是眼睛闭合、手握拳，身上无物。
大凡故意跳入井中，必须是脚先向下；如果是头在下，恐怕是被追赶逼迫，或者是他人推送入井。如果是失足，必须查看失足处的土痕。
自己投河、被人推入河中，如果水稍深阔，则没有磕碰擦伤沙泥等情况；如果水浅狭，也与投井、落井无异。大致水深三四尺，都能淹死人；检验确实没有其他毛病，只认定为落水身死。那么是自投还是推入就在其中了。如果身上有绳索及轻微伤痕可疑，则应检查是否被人谋害后置于水中致死。不过要设立期限捉拿盗贼，切勿因为怜悯一个捕快的期限，而留下无法揣测的忧患。
凡是溺死于河池的，（流动的水叫河，不流动的叫池），检验时，先问最初申报的人：什么时候看见尸体在水里的？看见时就在现在这个地方吗？还是自己漂流来的？如果是漂流来的，就问是从东、西、南、北哪个方向来的？又是怎样流到这里停住的？又是如何向官府申报的？如果说看见那人落水，就问：当时有没有施救？如果曾施救，那人在没出水前已死，还是救上岸后才死？或是立即向官府申报，还是过了多久才申报？
如果在江河、池塘、湖泊之间，难以测量四至边界，只看尸体漂浮在何处。如未浮起，打捞上来，声称是在何处打捞见到尸体的。池塘或坑阱中有水可以致死的地方，必须测量深浅尺寸，坑阱则测量四至边界。江河、池塘尸体浮起或发现处的地岸，以及池塘、坑阱属于何人管理？地名何处？
凡是溺死于井中的人，检验时，也先问最初申报的人：怎么知道井里有人？初次看见有人时，那人死了吗？既然知道没死？为什么不施救？尸体未浮起，怎么知道井里有人？如果是屋下的井，就问死者从早到晚不见踪影？又怎么知道在井里？凡井里有人，井里自然先有水沫，以此作为验证。
测量井的四至边界，属于何人的土地？地名何处？如果溺尸在井底，则不必测量，只需大约深多少丈尺，才能将尸体捞出。
尸体在井内充满气体膨胀，则会浮出一尺多，水浅则浮不出。如果浮出，看头或脚在上、在下，先测量尺寸；如果不浮出，也用长竿量到尸体近边的尺寸，同样看头或脚在上、在下。
检验溺死的尸体，如果水浸多天，尸体肿胀，难以显现致死的原因，应当说明：头发脱落、头目肿胀、嘴唇口角外翻，头面连同遍身上下皮肤血液全都变成青黑色、脱皮。检验是本人在井或河里，死后被水浸泡，经过几天，导致有此现象。现在没有凭据检验本人身上有无其他损伤，也无法确定年龄、相貌。只检验得本人口鼻内有泡沫，腹胀。验证前述尸体确实是某处水溺身死，如果水浸更多天，没有凭据检验，就不必说明致命的根据。
初春雪寒，经过数日才浮起，与春、夏、秋末不同。
凡是溺死的人，如果是人家的奴婢或妻女，落水前已经受过打骂，身上有伤；这次又确凿地看见是自落水，或投井身死，在格目中也必须明确写出伤痕，定为被打后又溺水身死。
投井死人如果不曾与人争斗，验尸时面目额头有利刃伤痕，又依旧带血似生前的伤痕，这时须看井内有破碎瓷器之类的东西，以致受伤。人刚入井时，气尚未断绝，其伤痕依旧带血，如果验作生前的刃伤，岂不是不利害。
If the corpse drowned while alive, males typically lie prone, and females typically lie supine. The head and face are facing upward, with both hands and feet extended forward. The mouth is closed, eyes may be open or closed indeterminate, and hands are clenched into fists. The abdomen is distended, producing a resonant sound when slapped. (If one fell into water, palms are open, eyes slightly open, abdomen slightly distended; if one threw oneself in, hands are tightly clenched, eyes closed, abdomen rapidly distends) The soles of the feet show wrinkled, whitish skin, without abdominal distension. Hair is tied tightly. Sand and mud are found at the hairline, between fingernails/toenails, or inside shoes if worn. Water foam and some pale bloody stains, or abrasions, are present in the mouth and nose; this is evidence of drowning while alive. (Generally, because the person struggles for life before dying, qi and blood flow, spasms draw water into the intestines, causing hands to naturally curl into fists, sand and mud to enter toe gaps, water foam to flow from mouth and nose, and abdomen to distend from ingested water)
If inspection is delayed, the corpse exposed to wind and sun will have blistered epidermis over the body, or develop white spots.
If there are no marks on the body and the complexion is red, this indicates death by being held upside down and submerged.
If the corpse has a slightly reddish complexion, mud-water foam in the mouth and nose, water in the stomach, and slight abdominal distension, it is indeed death by drowning.
If death occurred due to illness followed by drowning, depth of water does not matter for lethality, and there are no other abnormalities on the body.
If death occurred from illness and the body was then thrown into water, there is no foam in the mouth/nose, no water in the stomach, no distension, a sallow complexion, and emaciated muscles.
If death occurred from falling into a muddy ditch while ill, the corpse's mouth and eyes are open, hands slightly clenched, and clothes as well as mouth, nose, ears, and hairline are stained with blue-black mud. Clothes must be removed, washed with water, and sprayed with wine; flesh submerged in mud-water turns slightly white, abdomen slightly distends, and mud is found under nails.
If beaten to death and pushed into water, deep submersion causes distension, shallow submersion causes less distension. Flesh color is yellowish, not white; mouth and eyes open, hands spread, hair loose. Abdomen not distended, no fluid flowing from mouth/eyes/ears/nose, no sand/mud in finger/toe gaps, hands not clenched, soles not wrinkled but falsely swollen. If vital fatal injuries exist with black marks and emaciation, inspect carefully. If injuries are found, record them; even if thrown into water, relevant persons must be taken to court for investigation.
For suicides by jumping into wells, being pushed in, or accidental falls, corpses are largely similar with minor differences. All show abrasions on head/eyes from bricks/stones, sand/mud in nails/hair, abdominal distension, and water flowing from mouth when turned sideways or prone, with no other cause; classified as death by falling into well, distinguishing suicide vs. push lies within these details. Minor differences: being pushed or accidental fall results in open hands, slightly open eyes, possibly money/items on waist; suicide results in closed eyes, clenched hands, no items on body.
Generally, intentional jumping requires feet first; head-first suggests being chased/threatened or pushed by others. For accidental falls, check soil marks at the slip point.
Suicide by river or being pushed into river: if water is deep/broad, no abrasions/sand/mud occur; if shallow/narrow, similar to well incidents. Generally, 3-4 chi depth can drown; if no other cause, classify as drowning. Distinguish suicide vs. push based on context. If ropes or suspicious minor injuries exist, inspect for homicide by submersion. Set deadlines for arrest; do not delay due to concern for constables' limits, avoiding uncertainty.
For deaths in rivers/pools (flowing water = river, stagnant = pool), first ask the reporter: When was the body seen in water? Was it seen at that exact spot? Or did it drift? If drifting, ask direction (E/W/S/N), how it stopped there, and reporting timeline. If witnessed falling, ask if rescue was attempted. If rescued, did death occur before exiting water or after reaching shore? Immediate report or delayed?
In rivers/pools/lakes where boundaries are hard to measure, note floating position. If not floating, note recovery location. For ponds/traps capable of causing death, measure depth/dimensions; for traps, measure boundaries. Note management ownership and place names for riverbank/pool sites where bodies float or are found.
For well deaths, first ask reporter: How was presence known? Was person dead upon first sight? If alive, why no rescue? How known if body didn't float? For indoor wells, ask when last seen alive and how well suspicion arose. Presence of water foam in well confirms drowning.
Measure well boundaries and land ownership/place name. If body at bottom, estimate depth required for recovery rather than measuring directly.
Corpse fully gaseous in well floats >1 chi; shallow water prevents floating. If floated, measure head/foot orientation. If not floated, use pole to measure distance to body near edge, noting head/foot orientation.
For long-term submerged corpses, swelling obscures cause of death. Document: hair loss, head/eye swelling, everted lips, generalized cyanosis/blackening of skin/blood, desquamation. Confirm drowning in well/river after days of immersion. Without evidence of antemortem trauma or ability to identify age/features, rely only on foam in mouth/nose and abdominal distension to confirm drowning death. If excessive immersion precludes further verification, omit specific lethal cause documentation.
Early spring cold delays floating for days, differing from late spring/summer/autumn.
For servants/wives/daughters drowned, if beaten prior to entry leaving marks, and drowning is confirmed, document injuries clearly as "beaten then drowned."
For well suicides without struggle, if blade wounds appear on face/forehead with fresh blood-like appearance, check for broken porcelain in well causing injury. Fresh blood indicates recent wound while qi/breath remained; misclassifying as antemortem stab wound would be prejudicial.