DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i03.043

Pages: 1078-1082

As per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India database, approximately 70 lakh people sustain moderate to severe burns in India every year. In most of the cases, the alleged manner of death is accidental. In many cases, manner of death is kept as a mystery. Aim of the present study is to establish correlation between pattern of burn injuries and alleged manner of death. Total body surface area of involvement of burn injury was measured by using Wallace rule of nine. It was further divided by using simple numerical method for better comparison. The mean values of percent areas involved were compared to establish correlation between pattern of burn injuries and alleged manner of death. Overall extent of involvement of total body surface area in burns was more in case of suicides than in case of accidental burns. Homicidal burn cases were not significant in number to compare with other manners of death. Frequency of involvement of both palms was more in suicidal burns than accidental burns. Frequency of involvement of soles was almost equal in accidental burns and suicidal and accidental burns. These findings might be due to the fact that suicide is a planned activity, intentionally performed to kill oneself. It was performed in closed places when the person is alone and hence chances of rescue are minimised. Accelerant used by suicide is also an additive factor.