Autopsy findings and identification process in severely burned bodies: A four-year retrospective case series

Aim: The identification and forensic evaluation of severely burned bodies can be challenging because fire may destroy both anatomical features and critical evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the autopsy findings, vitality indicators, toxicological results, and identification-related challenges in fire-related deaths.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective case series included nine fire-related deaths autopsied at the Council of Forensic Medicine, Van Branch, between 2018 and 2021. Autopsy reports and forensic investigation records were reviewed for demographic characteristics, incident circumstances, burn severity, vitality indicators, toxicological findings, cause and manner of death, and the feasibility of visual identification.

Results: Six victims were male and three were female, with all female victims being children. Six cases (66.7%) involved foreign nationals, and all deaths were classified as accidental. Soot was detected in the airways of all cases. carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels could be measured in three pediatric cases and ranged from 32% to 43%. Carbon monoxide poisoning was reported as the cause of death in two cases and as a contributing factor together with burn injuries in one case. Six adult victims had advanced fourth-degree burns, making visual identification impossible. Alcohol, illicit drugs, and fire accelerants were not detected in any case.

Conclusion: Vitality indicators, particularly airway soot and COHb levels, should be evaluated together in fire-related deaths. DNA analysis and dental examination are particularly important when visual identification is impossible. Heat-related artifacts should also be carefully distinguished from true traumatic injuries.