NCJ Number
105787
Journal
Forensic Science International Volume: 34 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (May-June 1987) Pages: 1-15
Date Published
1987
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This analysis of deaths all caused by explosions of solids, fluids, and gases in Sweden from 1979 to 1984 concludes that the corpse is part of the crime scene and therefore the concern of both the forensic pathologist and the police investigator.
Abstract
Among the 61 fatalities analyzed, 33 (54 percent) were caused by accidents, 25 (41 percent) were suicides, and 3 (5 percent) were associated with terrorist activity. Explosives caused in these last cases only superficial burns or singes. Symmetric hemmorrhages of the vocal folds and fracture of the laryngeal skeleton were found, as well as ruptures of trachea and lungs. When the lungs and trachea were not ruptured, the lungs showed hyperinflation, probably due to the blast-induced barotrauma to the respiratory passages, or to lung contusions. Suicidal deaths showed regular and symmetrical injuries, while accidental and terrorist deaths showed great variations. Cases of suspected terrorist explosions require close collaboration between the forensic pathologist and police investigators because the bodies of victims of suspected terrorist explosions protect parts of the bomb from fire or from being spread over a larger area and thus constitute a part of the crime scene. 9 figures, 4 tables, and 8 references. (Author abstract modified)