Which of the following is a sign indicating drowning has occurred?

The presence of foam at the mouth and pale skin is a specific indication that drowning has occurred, making it the correct choice. When a person drowns, water enters the lungs, and as the body struggles for air, this can lead to a buildup of fluid and bubbles in the airway. This foam can sometimes escape the mouth, appearing as distinctive frothy fluid, which is often a key sign that drowning has occurred.

Pale skin in this context can signify a lack of oxygenation and blood flow, which is common in cases of drowning, especially if the individual was submerged for an extended period. This combination of symptoms is specifically associated with asphyxia and drowning scenarios, helping investigators to conclude the cause of death.

Other signs, such as pallor and rigor mortis, are too general and not uniquely tied to drowning. Dehydration and hypothermia could stem from many scenarios, while burns and cuts suggest trauma rather than suffocation or drowning. Therefore, the characteristics of foam at the mouth and pale skin are quite distinctive and critical in identifying drowning as the cause of death.