Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
Legal Medicine Division, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Clin Ter. 2024 Jul-Aug;175(Suppl 1(4)):32-35. doi: 10.7417/CT.2024.5080.
Homicide by burning is rare, involving victims exposed to direct flames, often with accelerants. This demonstrates excessive force by the assaulter. A thorough investigation is vital as fire can conceal pathological findings. This study presents two emblematic cases of intentional burning.
Two cases of homicide by fire are detailed. The first involves a male found dead in a fire-damaged apartment, doused with flammable liquid and set on fire by his partner. The autopsy showed heat hematoma and soot in the trachea and large bronchi. The second case involves a female set on fire with gasoline by an acquaintance, sustaining burns over 90% of her body and dying from hypovolemic shock. The autopsy revealed effusions in pleural and peritoneal cavities and a hyperaemic trachea.
Intentional burnings are sporadic and difficult to classify without testimonial evidence. The difference between homicide and accidental burns relies on circumstantial evidence and antemortem injuries. Vital reactions to thermal lesions include red-base blisters, dilated capillaries, leukocyte infiltration, coagulative necrosis, heat hematoma, and soot in the airways. High carboxyhemoglobin levels indicate vitality. The first case showed heat hematoma and tracheal soot, while the second exhibited severe burns leading to hypovolemic shock. Testimonial evidence and crime scene examination were crucial in determining the homicidal nature. Forensic investigation of charred corpses requires a comprehensive evaluation of all available data. Crime scene analysis, combined with autopsy, toxicological tests, and post-mortem CT scans, helps establish the cause of death and differentiate between ante- and postmortem injuries.
烧死罕见，涉及暴露于明火下的受害者，常伴有助燃剂。这表明攻击者使用了过度的力量。彻底调查至关重要，因为火可能会掩盖病理发现。本研究介绍了两起典型的故意烧伤案例。
详细介绍了两起火灾杀人案。第一例涉及一名男子，他被发现死在一间被火焰损坏的公寓里，身上浇满了易燃液体并被其伴侣点燃。尸检显示热性血肿和气管及大支气管中的烟尘。第二例涉及一名女性被熟人用汽油点燃，全身 90%以上烧伤，死于失血性休克。尸检显示胸腔和腹腔积液以及充血的气管。
故意烧伤是零星发生的，如果没有证词证据，很难对其进行分类。故意烧伤与意外烧伤的区别在于间接证据和生前损伤。热损伤的重要反应包括红斑水疱、毛细血管扩张、白细胞浸润、凝固性坏死、热性血肿和气道中的烟尘。高铁血红蛋白水平高表明有活力。第一例显示了热性血肿和气管中的烟尘，第二例则表现出严重的烧伤导致失血性休克。证词证据和犯罪现场检查对确定杀人性质至关重要。对烧焦尸体的法医调查需要对所有可用数据进行全面评估。犯罪现场分析，结合尸检、毒理学测试和死后 CT 扫描，有助于确定死因并区分生前和死后损伤。
