Explosion-related deaths: An overview on forensic evaluation and implications

Abstract

Purpose Explosion-related deaths are uncommon events which require expertise and confidence so that an appropriate death investigation can be performed. The present study aims to provide a detailed forensic analysis of the issues and implications arising in the event of an explosion. Methods A retrospective review of casualty data was conducted on electronic literature databases. Cases concerning deadly explosions registered at the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine were examined and analyzed altogether. Results Explosions may involve closed or open systems. A security assessment of the site is always necessary. Alterations of the site due to rescue procedures can occur; thus, on-site forensic investigation should be adapted to the environment. Then, a study protocol based on autopsy procedures is presented. Application of the postmortem radiology enforces forensic procedures both for the analysis of blast injuries and skeleton fractures, and for identification purposes. Blast injuries typically cause lacerations of the lungs, intestine and major vessels; moreover, hyoid fractures can be documented. Histopathology may help to define blast injuries effectively. Forensic chemistry, toxicology and ballistics provide useful investigative evidence as well as anthropology and genetics. Different forensic topics regarding explosions are discussed through five possible scenarios that forensic pathologists may come across. Scenarios include self-inflicted explosion deaths, domestic explosions, work-related explosions, terrorist events, and explosions caused by accidents involving heavy vehicles. Conclusion The scenarios presented offer a useful instrument to avoid misinterpretations and evaluation errors. Procedural notes and technical aspects are provided to the readers, with an insight on collaboration with other forensic experts.

Fatal blast injuries in tyre blowouts: two autopsy case reports

“…We also observed the presence of hyoid bone fracture in the second case. There was no similar finding in the previously reported tyre burst cases, but it has been documented that hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage fractures can be seen in explosion-related primary blast injuries with high levels of blast overpressure (Galante et al 2021). As shown, the majority of primary blast injuries are internal and the shock wave can cause death without obvious visible external injury (Pomara et al 2013).…”

“…Blast injuries in the case of bursting tyres can be caused by the single or more commonly, the combined effect of three main entities which are the pressure wave of the blast, the impact of the tyre rim or other fragments, and the displacement of the body being thrown against the ground or other surfaces or objects. Schematically, these constitute respectively the well know primary, secondary and tertiary classification of blast injuries described in explosions caused mostly by armed conflict, terrorist bombings, industrial disasters, aeroplane crashes, and domestic gas leaks (Galante et al 2021). The main difference is the absence of thermal or chemical effects that belong to the quaternary blast injuries (Blechner and Seiler 1995;Larkins et al 2020) A study (Hefny et al 2009) reported that the most commonly injured body parts are the head and facial bones, which is explained by the fact that the victims were facing the tyre when it burst (Hefny et al 2010), and about 25% of the injured had multi-trauma.…”

Forensic characteristics of injuries from thermo-baric explosive device

“…[6]. The obtained own data on numerous paired and single abrasions and wounds of the skin of small sizes of rounded, oblong, circular shape, as well as the bright red color of the skin of the thigh and pelvis, which were the result of the action of fragments of a rocket-propelled grenade equipped with a fire mixture, correspond to the features of injuries given in the literature [9,13,15].…”