Module 12.4

Question 1

Fire-related injuries and deaths

Answer 1

Investigation mandatory
Exam even postmortem
Animal ID attempted (microchips withstand high temps)
Alive or dead prior to burning?
COD if dead?
Fire (arson) used to cover other crimes

Question 2

Exam

Answer 2

Collect trace evidence like accelerants in gas-tight container
Radiograph
Look for ash/soot inside trachea to see if alive/dead before

Question 3

Evidence of vitality in fire

Answer 3

Soot in airways, alveoli, esophagus, stomach, duodenum poss
Carboxyhemoglobin levels
Reddening around wounds
Leukocytes (WBCs) in blisters

Question 4

Fire fumes (smoke gases)

Answer 4

Inhalation>resp failure
-leading COD in humans
Toxic gases-CO, CO2, CN
Pulmonary irritants-ammonia, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide

Question 5

Fire fumes

Answer 5

Primary toxic combustible gases
-CO measured in blood as carboxyhemoglobin
-hydrogen cyanid measured as cyanide
Ante/postmortem
-blood in EDTA tube or sodium heparin tube-COHb
-cutoff <10% humans

Question 6

Carbon monoxide

Answer 6

Cherry red to brown MM
Not produced by decomp, not appreciably absorbed after death

Question 7

Cyanide

Answer 7

Inhibits mitochondria cytochrome oxidase-disruption of cells to use CO2
Cherry red to brown MM
Bitter almond smell