Analysis of inflammable substances to determine whether death has occurred before or after burning.

Abstract

In two murder cases involving burning, both victims had been set on fire in the open air after being drenched with kerosene. In the first case, carbon monoxide hemoglobin (COHb) saturation was found to be 2.1% in the left heart blood and 0.8% in the right heart blood, a ratio of 2.6 for left to right heart blood. Paraffin hydrocarbons were also detected in the left heart blood. It was determined that the victim had been set on fire before death and that burning had been the cause of death. In the second case, the COHb saturation was 0.21% in the left heart blood and 0.24% in the right heart blood, giving a left-to-right ratio of 0.9. Paraffin hydrocarbons were detected in the hair sample, but not in the left heart blood. It was determined that the victim had been set on fire after death, and the cause of death was suspected to be asphyxia due to compression of the neck.