NCJ Number
54304
Journal
Fire and Arson Investigator Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 30-45
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CONCERNING FIRE DEATHS ARE DISCUSSED: INVESTIGATING THE SCENE; TRANSPORTING, STORING, AND EXAMINING THE BODY; CREMATION; CARBON MONOXIDE DEATH; AND BALTIMORE FIRE DEATH STATISTICS FOR 1961.
Abstract
EXAMINATION OF THE FIRE SCENE REQUIRES CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND MEDICAL-LEGAL INVESTIGATORS. THE MEDICAL-LEGAL INVESTIGATOR FOCUSES UPON THE BODIES OF THE VICTIMS AND IS IN CHARGE OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF THE BODY. THIS INVOLVES SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR BODY HANDLING, THE KEEPING TOGETHER OF CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS, THE REMOVAL OF THE BODY, AND THE REMOVAL OF ASSOCIATED DEBRIS IN ORDER TO LOCATE FOREIGN ITEMS FOR LATER EXAMINATION FOR INCENDIARY MATERIALS. THE BODY AND ASSOCIATED DEBRIS SHOULD BE CARRIED IN A CONTAINER TO THE MORGUE WHERE THE CONTAINER IS REMOVED BEFORE REFRIGERATED STORING. ENBALMING SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE IT INTERFERES WITH TOXICOLOGIC EXAMINATIONS. POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DEATH AND THE LEGAL TERMINOLOGY FOR EACH CAUSE ARE LISTED. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED BY THE INVESTIGATION: WHO IS THE VICTIM? WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF DEATH? HOW DID THE FIRE START? WAS THE VICTIM DEAD OR ALIVE DURING THE FIRE? AND HOW WERE THE OBSERVED INJURIES CAUSED? AUTOPSY PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE HISTORY, PRINCIPLES, METHOD, AND DISPOSAL OF REMAINS OF CREMATION ARE DISCUSSED. EXCEPT UNDER CONTROLLED CREMATION PROCEDURES, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY BY FIRE IS DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEATH DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE COURSE OF A FIRE ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. DATA DERIVED FROM THE 55 FIRE DEATHS DURING 1961 IN BALTIMORE, MD., ARE PROVIDED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)