FRACTURES OF THE BASE OF THE SKULL IN CHARRED BODIES - POSTMORTEM HEAT INJURIES OR SIGNS OF MECHANICAL TRAUMATIZATION

Based on a recent case, in which an expert opinion had to be prepared, the question was investigated if fractures of the base of the skull c an result from the influence of heat on the human skull. Neither the r etrospective analysis of autopsy records nor the prospective examinati on of charred bodies revealed any cases with heat-induced fractures of the base of the skull. Observation of cremations showed that the chan ges caused by the fire followed certain rules. fractures of the calvar ia were seen after similar to 20 min; the base of the skull became exp osed after about 45 to 60 min. In none of the 20 cremations watched co uld any fractures of the base of the skull be detected. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.