*DIFFERENTIATE*
INTENTIONAL FIRE
Fires that are deliberately set and include
fires that result from deliberate misuse of a
heat source, fires of an incendiary nature
(arson), as well as con- trolled burn fires,
such as crop clearing.
BURNS
Damage to skin cells and tissue caused by
either fire, heat, electricity, chemical,
radiation, light or friction. Damaging muscle
and fat can occur if the burn is severe. It can
even reach the bone if it’s deep enough.
ANTE-MORTEM BURNS
- The blister contains abundant albumen and
chlorides.
-There is an area of inflammation.
- The base of the vesicle is red.
-The tracheo-bronchial lumina may contain
particles of soot or carbon.
-Blood will show presence and abundance of
carboxyhemoglobin.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTIBILITY
It is claimed by some authorities that the
human body can ignite itself spontaneously
and bum itself to death. This is hardly
possible on account of the high percentage of
water in the human body. Spontaneous
combustibility may be utilized as a defense in
cases of homicidal burns if it is really
probable.
THERMAL BURNS
- Blisters may be present.
-No such staining.
-Nothing of this nature is found in thermal
burns.
-The lesion is diffused.
CONTACT BURN SPARK BURN
Due to a close contact with Due to a poor contact and
an electrically live object, and the resistance of dry skin and the arborescent pattern of
ACCIDENTAL FIRE
those in which the proven cause does not
involve any deliberate human act to ignite or
spread the fire.
SCALDS
May only damage layers of skin, unlike burns,
that can cause major deep tissue damage. 
POST-MORTEM BURNS
-The blister contains scanty albumen and
chlorides.
- No area of inflammation.
- Not much change in color of the base of the
vesicle.
-No finding of soot or carbon.
-No presence and abundance of
carboxyhemoglobin
PRETERNATURAL COMBUSTIBILITY
It is claimed that the human body is
inflammable on account of the presence of
gases which easily ignite. The gases are said
to be the products of the action of
microorganisms in the body. This explains the
presence of phosphorescent light in the
graveyard during night time. If ever the
theory is true, then there can only be a
partial combustion of the human body.
CHEMICAL BURNS
-Absence of blisters.
- Skin and clothing may be stained.
- Analysis of the substances around the lesion
will show the chemical causing the corrosion.
- The borders are distinct and simulating a
geographic appearance.
FLASH BURN
The appearance varies from
the degree will vary from
small and superficial lesion to
charring of skin if contact is
maintained.
shows a pricked appearance lightning burns to the
with a central white zone "crocodile skin" appearance
(parchment) and surrounding of high voltage flash.
of hyperemia. This burn,
which may be essential to
the proof of electrical
contact, can be very difficult
to identify, and sections
should be cut in an attempt
to establish their nature.