The autopsy evaluation of “straightforward” fire deaths

Byard, Roger W.

doi:10.1007/s12024-017-9907-0

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Bronchiolar dilatation, ductal and alveolar insufflation, and alveolar hemorrhage were seen in fire deaths but not suffocations; it is not certain that these changes are unique to fire deaths, however. Unfortunately, these heat-induced changes are not always seen (23, 24).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire

Ball¹,

Herath²

2018

Academic Forensic Pathology

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Interpretation of deaths in hostile environments may be informed by postmortem microscopic examination of injured tissues. In context with their macroscopic correlates, the commonly observed histologic changes seen in environmental deaths are reviewed-these include exposure (i.e., hypothermia and hyperthermia), fire, electrocution, and water. Rarely observed pathognomonic findings are highlighted. While it may not yield specific findings, microscopic examination is one of the necessary steps of a thorough postmortem examination.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire

Ball¹,

Herath²

2018

Academic Forensic Pathology

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“…In addition, the wide range of homicidal and accidental causes of sudden death may also be present in fatalities recovered from fire scenes. It should not therefore be assumed that the relationship between the fire and the death is directly causal (Byard, 2017;DeHaan & Icove, 2014;NFPA, 2017). Moreover, the prolonged burning of a body causes the destruction of forensically useful material and can in severe cases lead to almost total destruction.…”

Section: Sudden Deaths and Fire Fatalitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contextual information and cognitive bias in the forensic investigation of fatal fires: Do these incidents present an increased risk of flawed decision-making?

Morling

Henneberg²

2020

International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice

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“…There are also rare cases of complex suicide which may complicate investigations due to the use of multiple fatal methods in parallel. The extensive damage delivered by the fire on the body often complicates the examination, while the identification of incinerated human remains is often intricate requiring DNA examination and dental identification methods (21).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The following key elements play a pivotal role in the forensic investigation of human immolation incidents: (i) determining whether the victim was alive or deceased at the onset of the fire; (ii) determining the method of ignition (21). Combustible liquids are products in general available to populations of lower socioeconomic status.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During autopsy, careful layer dissection and examination of the remaining tissues and organs are required in search for traumatic lesions that do not seem to fit within the scene (21). Furthermore, autopsy findings of the presence of soot particles and inhalation injuries within the airways (including nose, mouth, larynx, trachea, and mainstem bronchi) as well as toxicological findings of elevated carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) (stable compound formed from the binding of inhaled carbon monoxide and hemoglobin) and cyanide values in blood above 0.20 mg/L are indicative that the decedent was breathing during the fire.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self‐immolation Suicide in Greece: A Forensic Psychiatric Autopsy Study between 2011 and 2019

Papadodima

Karakasi

Pavlidis

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Self‐immolation is a rare suicide method in the developed countries of the western world (0.06–1%); however, it has relatively higher prevalence rates in the developing countries of Asia and Africa (6–57%). The present study aims to examine self‐immolation suicides within the Greek mainland (Attiki, Thrace, and Peloponnese) over a period of 9 years (2011–2019) in order to investigate the phenomenon in the Greek population forensically, identify the characteristics and motivations of suicide victims, explore its associations to socio‐cultural or psychiatric factors, and describe a fatal case of suicide by self‐immolation that was partially recorded on camera. The medical files (autopsy reports) of cases performed at the Departments of Forensic Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace, and the Forensic Service of Messinia—Peloponnese were retrospectively examined yielding 19 cases of suicides by self‐immolation. A 3.7% prevalence of suicide by self‐immolation among suicide fatalities within the Greek population was estimated. A distinctive feature of the Greek population regarding self‐immolation was disclosed that it is being practiced predominantly by the elderly (mean age 2–3.5 decades higher than other countries). The phenomenon correlated strongly with poorly controlled mental disorders (mostly affective and adjustment disorders). Unlike other countries, there was no significant association with domestic or sexual violence, social or political protest, or religious issues. Therefore, the suicide victims preferred secluded or private outdoor locations (not public). Findings deriving from the examined variables localize Greek population culturally between the Western European and Asian African countries, but with its own idiosyncrasies.

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The autopsy evaluation of “straightforward” fire deaths

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire

Contextual information and cognitive bias in the forensic investigation of fatal fires: Do these incidents present an increased risk of flawed decision-making?

Self‐immolation Suicide in Greece: A Forensic Psychiatric Autopsy Study between 2011 and 2019

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