Lerer L B
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1994 Dec;15(4):344-7. doi: 10.1097/00000433-199412000-00012.
To describe the features of homicide-associated burnings (HAB) and examine factors that distinguish between intentional and accidental fatal burn injury, we undertook a review of all burn cases admitted to the Salt River State Mortuary, Cape Town, South Africa, between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992. Of 358 burn-related deaths, 35 (10%) were homicides; five (14%) of these were described as "necklacings." No significant difference existed in age, sex, residential status, or extent of burn injury between the HAB and adult residential fire victims (ARFV). Of the HAB, 44% had soot in the trachea and main bronchi, whereas soot was present in 83% of the ARFV (p = 0.001). The median blood carbon monoxide saturation was 12% in the HAB and 30% in the ARFV (p = 0.001). Of the HAB, 48% had a blood alcohol concentration > 0.1 g/100 ml, whereas this concentration was noted in 70% of ARFV (p = 0.02). Evidence of either gunshot, stabbing, or blunt force injury was seen in 82% of the HAB. Although some significant autopsy parameters characterize HAB, we conclude that the forensic pathologist should diligently seek evidence of homicidal injury in all fatal burn cases.
为描述与杀人相关的烧伤（HAB）的特征，并研究区分故意和意外致命烧伤的因素，我们对1991年1月1日至1992年12月31日期间南非开普敦盐河州立太平间收治的所有烧伤病例进行了回顾。在358例与烧伤相关的死亡病例中，35例（10%）为他杀；其中5例（14%）被描述为“套颈谋杀”。HAB与成年住宅火灾受害者（ARFV）在年龄、性别、居住状况或烧伤程度方面没有显著差异。在HAB中，44%的患者气管和主支气管中有烟灰，而ARFV中有烟灰的比例为83%（p = 0.001）。HAB患者血液中一氧化碳饱和度的中位数为12%，ARFV为30%（p = 0.001）。在HAB中，48%的患者血液酒精浓度>0.1 g/100 ml，而ARFV中这一浓度的比例为70%（p = 0.02）。在82%的HAB患者中发现了枪伤、刺伤或钝器伤的证据。尽管一些重要的尸检参数可表征HAB，但我们得出结论，法医病理学家应在所有致命烧伤病例中认真寻找他杀损伤的证据。
