Burn , degree of Burn and its investigation
Degree of burn -
First degree - Burn outer layer (epidermis). Skin is red and painful.
Second degree - Skin becomes red and swallow. Vesicle formation. Both epidermis and dermis damaged. If it superficial then only a part of dermis destroy. Scarring may be or not but in a deep thickness burn a scar formed and the skin color change permanently.
Third degree - Skin may appear brown black white or yellow. Formation of scar and nerve endings exposed.
Fourth degree - Deepest severe and life threatening burn. Complete destruction of tissues. No pain as nerve endings destroyed.
Fifth degree - Deep fascia of muscles.
Sixth degree - Churning of limbs occurred if death is not immediately happened.
Burn is also classified on the basis of depth -
Epidermal - First and second degree burn.
Dermo-epidermal - Third and fourth degree burn.
Deep - Fifth and sixth degree burn.
We have already discussed the general conditions for a crime scene investigation link below
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In burn cases the investigating officer and forensic experts should examined the crime scene and surroundings , the dead body and locate + collect physical evidences. Lets first discuss the crime scene....
The crime scene - First to notice the smell of fuel materials like kerosene , petrol etc. Protection of
crime scene is must. Take the photographs of whole crime scene and close photography of the dead
body. Look to the size of room , door , windows and ventilation condition. Its helps the investigating
officer and expert to know the duration of fire and entry in to the room. Always see that the door of
the room is open , close (from inside or outside) . There is a possibility that the door close from
inside but it could be done from outside as there is a gap between door panels. If the investigating
officer and expert look to the door latch they find the carbon particles on latch and on bolt used for
bolting. When the door closed from outside the upper part of latch which must be inside bolt also
have deposition of carbon particles. When the case of door breaking came saw the breaking marks
like splinter of wood , broken bolt or nails of bolt found inside the room. Also saw the possibility of
footprints. Look out that the container of fuel , match box are near the body or at some distance.
Generally the person keep the container nearer or in the room not in other room. Staining of fuel
materials found at one place in case of suicide but in homicide case it could be at various places
including walls.
Dead body examination - The examination of dead body always done in details like the position of
the dead body , clothing , bleeding face , eyes , tongue , hand , foot etc. Assumption of aliveness of
deceased during burn indicated by burn cloth piece found on sole of foot. Antemortum burn
indication involves the presence of bleeding from nose or from others body parts. If you find tongue
is bitten or protruding , its an indication of expression to combat pain. To remove blackening of face
use talcum powder . The visualization of blood vessels is seen in antemortum burns. Formation of
blisters containing blood tinged fluid occurred in antemortum burn. If you find body in pugilistic
condition having tighting reflex indicate antemortum burn.
the dead body , clothing , bleeding face , eyes , tongue , hand , foot etc. Assumption of aliveness of
deceased during burn indicated by burn cloth piece found on sole of foot. Antemortum burn
indication involves the presence of bleeding from nose or from others body parts. If you find tongue
is bitten or protruding , its an indication of expression to combat pain. To remove blackening of face
use talcum powder . The visualization of blood vessels is seen in antemortum burns. Formation of
blisters containing blood tinged fluid occurred in antemortum burn. If you find body in pugilistic
condition having tighting reflex indicate antemortum burn.
Physical evidences found in a burn cases -
Container of fuel , matchbox , staining of fuels materials , burnt cloths , broken effect on door and
window , struggle mark presence , footprints , burning effect on doors curtains roof etc , dead body
position , contraction of face skin and agony marks on face , presence of blisters etc.
Its the responsibility of investigating officer to collect preserved packed all physical evidences properly without any contamination or loss and send them to laboratory after proper documentation and having chain of custody. Burn cases needs immediate responding and the medical legal help to find out the degree of burn.
MR. DEEPAK PAWAR has been working as Finger Print Expert / Police Officer in Finger Print Bureau , Delhi Police at New Delhi since 2001 . He is the senior most Finger Print Expert , attending / visited several scene of crime and solved many crime cases .He has passed M.Sc (Chemistry) and he is the Member of International Association of Identification . He is the Member of Delhi Police welfare association . He is supervising the Forensic , New Delhi District , Mobile Crime Team . He is one of the Expert in the Special Investigation Team held for investigation of important cases . He has been giving fingerprint proficient training to Delhi Police personnel's . He has been Presented / giving lectures on topics related to forensic science . He is also making examination paper of Finger Print proficient course . He is awarded with Police Medal by MHA and Delhi Police.