Ignition of a human body by a modest external source: A case report

Palmière, Cristian; Staub, Christian; Harpe, R. La; Mangin, Patrice

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.027

Cited by 9 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…1,3,[20][21][22] Majority of the reports were from Europe, specifically from France. Age of the victims ranged from 44 to 74 years (mean age 59 years).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Age of the victims ranged from 44 to 74 years (mean age 59 years). 1,3,21,22 Eight (67%) patients were female. There were four Caucasian victims, 1,3,22 two of North African origin 22 and one African-American.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,3,21 Interesting enough, two of the victims lived with a dog, both of which died of carbon monoxide poisoning. 1,22 Contrary to popular belief, it seems that all SHC victims are not under the influence of alcohol, and only 41% of these victims were found to be alcohol intoxicated. In half of these victims, soot was found in the airways, indicating they were alive at least at the beginning of the fire.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…21,22 The most common source of ignition was defined to be smoking-related, in four of the cases. 1,22 DISCUSSION A significant external ignition source is required to begin the SHC process. 23 The absence of an external source of ignition in SHC cases can be explained by its disappearance during the combustion.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fourth, on the floor around the victim, a malodorous oily substance is discovered. [1][2][3] In the past, such a situation was erroneously attributed to supernatural powers.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Spontaneous Human Combustion in the Light of the 21st Century

Koljonen

Kluger

2012

Journal of Burn Care & Research

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The term "spontaneous human combustion" refers to a situation when a human body is found with significant portions of the middle parts of the body reduced to ashes, much less damage to the head and extremities, and minimal damage to the direct surroundings of the body. Typically, no observable source of ignition is found in the vicinity of the victim and a bad smelling oily substance is noted. In the past, such a situation was erroneously attributed to supernatural powers, as such phenomenon occurs in the absence of any witness. The purpose of this review article was to analyze articles published from January 1, 2000, on this unique type of burn injury. Further aims were to gather and present data on the causes and events leading to this situation. The literature was reviewed with PubMed interface using the key words spontaneous human combustion and preternatural combustion. Specific inclusion criteria resulted in 12 patients. A unique sequence of events takes place for the human body to incinerate to ashes. The flame burn victim has to die for the body fat to start melting. A tear in the skin has to occur for the melted fat to impregnate the charred clothes, igniting a wick effect that produces localized heat for extended period. A phenomenon called spontaneous human combustion is reality. The term "spontaneous human combustion" has nuances which are not applicable to this situation or to these modern times, therefore we suggest a new term "fat wick burns."

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“…1,3,[20][21][22] Majority of the reports were from Europe, specifically from France. Age of the victims ranged from 44 to 74 years (mean age 59 years).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fourth, on the floor around the victim, a malodorous oily substance is discovered. [1][2][3] In the past, such a situation was erroneously attributed to supernatural powers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spontaneous Human Combustion in the Light of the 21st Century

Koljonen

Kluger

2012

Journal of Burn Care & Research

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Flammability and combustion hazard of preserved human tissues

Noël

2020

Clinical Anatomy

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Preservation techniques have evolved over the years to respond to the need of longer dissection periods, with formaldehyde being widely used for this purpose. In recent years, efforts have been focusing on reducing the health hazards of this fixative and the rigidity of the tissues embalmed with it. With every embalming technique that they are either developing or resurrecting from various protocols, institutions need to assess the fire and health hazards of all the chemicals being used. Compliance with the storage and handling safeguards listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet of each chemical, needs to be accompanied by infrastructure changes. To reduce the health hazards of formaldehyde, institutions are taking appropriate countermeasures directed at the source itself, by using substitutes or injecting formaldehyde chelating agents, and are adopting high performance air extraction systems to protect the users. However, little is known about the flammability risk of embalmed human bodies. During a recent visit to McGill University morgue by architects and safety inspectors to expand it, we were asked about the flammability risk of the embalmed specimens, so we carried out a flashpoint test to evaluate the flammability potential of specimens embalmed with each of our three embalming techniques: formaldehyde‐based, Thiel, and phenol‐based. With the phenol‐based embalming showing the most risks, attention should be drawn to all institutions who are experimenting with various embalming techniques to evaluate the flammability potential of their embalmed specimens.

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