NCJ Number
44527
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES USED BY FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF FIRE VICTIMS TO DETERMINE WHETHER DEATH OCCURRED BEFORE OR AFTER ONSET OF THE FIRE ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
DETERMINATION OF ACTUAL CAUSE OF DEATH IN FIRE CASES IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE MOST OF THE EVIDENCE NORMALLY USED HAS BEEN DESTROYED. THE PATHOLOGIST MUST FIRST DETERMINE THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF DEATH, PARTICULARLY IF THE BONES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED AT AN OLD SITE WITH NO SIGNS OF A RECENT FIRE. THE CORONER IS USUALLY INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATION IF THE SKELETON IS DETERMINED TO BE 50 YEARS OLD OR LESS. ONCE AN INVESTIGATION IS INITIATED, THE PATHOLOGIST COOPERATES CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE SERVICE AND THE FORENSIC LABORATORY. THE LABORATORY HANDLES SUCH ITEMS AS CLOTHING AND PHOTO DOCUMENTATION. THE PATHOLOGIST MUST HAVE ACCESS TO X-RAY EQUIPMENT, TOXICOLOGIC TESTING, AND LABORATORY FACILITIES FOR MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES WHICH OCCUR IN THE BODY WHEN IT IS BURNED THAT CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE VICTIM AND DETERMINE TIME OF DEATH. HAIR CHANGES COLOR WHEN BURNED, OFTEN MAKING THE VICTIM LOOK OLDER. EYES TEND TO TURN BROWNER. ANTE MORTEM AND POST MORTEM BURNS ARE OFTEN INDISTINGUISHABLE, HOWEVER, OTHER EVIDENCE SUCH AS THE PRESENCE OF SOOT IN THE LUNGS MAY INDICATE THAT THE VICTIM WAS BREATHING WHILE THE BURNING WAS GOING ON. OTHER SIGNS THAT THE FIRE STARTED DURING LIFE ARE A RED FROTH AROUND THE NOSTRILS DUE TO IRRITATION OF THE LUNGS AND A PINK COLORING FROM INHALATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE. SKIN SHRINKS WHEN BURNED, AND WHEN STRETCHED OVER A BONE LIKE THE SKULL, SPLITS. THE PATHOLOGIST MUST BE AWARE THAT A LARGE SPLIT IN THE SKIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE RESULT OF A SEVERE CUT BEFORE DEATH. (VDA)