Citation

Marella GL, Perfetti E, Arcudi G. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2012; 19(3): 175-178.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2011.12.004

PMID

22391006

Abstract

Interpreting the damages on a cadaver which has been exposed to the action of fire is a challenge for the forensic pathologist. The finding of a burned body gives in fact the opportunity to make a series of inquiries which deal with the whole medical-legal practice. In our case, the victim has been hit over the head with a blunt object and has been then carbonized. The medical-legal problems implied lie in the definition of the exact manner and cause of death, and therefore in the analysis of vital, perimortal and postmortal injuries, as to formulate a differential diagnosis between the former traumatic originated and the latter caused by combustion.

Language: en