DOWRY DEATHS

Commonly known as bride burning cases, these are a bone of the Asian
society, mainly in developing countries. Fire accelereants, such as Kerosene
and petrol are used the former most frequently, being readily available as
domestic fuel. In order to establish evidence for homicidal burning in such
cases, it is helpful to collect material from the scene, such as bleeding, pillows,
carpet etc on which kerosene stains may be found. Clothing of offender if
smelling of kerosene, wiping of floor if kerosene traces are still observed and
soil from the dwelling if kerosene stained.

In view of the increasing number of dowry deaths the following

guidelines have been laid down by the government of India for investigation
of such cases ( Section 176(1) Cr PC) and the law in respect there of has been
suitably amended.
The victim of dowry death is usually a young female in the age group of
18-30 yrs she is harassed to an extent as to drive her to commit suicide.
Usually the mode of death is burns but in some instances, mechanical injuries
may be inflicted by the husband or his relations, rarely she may be poisoned
(Vide Supra)

Difficulties in Diagnosis of Death From Burns :

A person may be killed by throttling or poisoning. The Dead body may
be then burnt to conceal the crime and to make it appear like death from
burning. Even under circumstances. A careful autopsy examination settles the
issue. The differentiating features of antemortem and postmortem burning as
well as evidence in respiratory tract and blood provide valuable clues.
Chemical analysis of viscerat also help. sometimes, determination of cause of
death may present an extremely difficult problem. A chain smoker who was
under treatment for an extensive myocardial infart died of a reptured heart.
The cigarette he was smoking droped on the bed causing fire and consequent
postmortem burns on his body. A doctor who performed the autopsy gave
burning as a cause of death. Suspicion was aroused due to present of
postmortem burns on the body. At re-examination , ruptured heart was found,
and the whole episode could be reconstructed in proper perspective.

SCALDS
A Scald is an injury resulting from application of liquid at or near boiling
point or from steam. In such cases only the superficial layers of the skin are
affected. The severity of injury depends primarily on the temperature and
duration of contact. Burns result in 20 sec at 131 oF , 3 sec at 140oF, 2 sec at
150oF and 1 sec at 158oF. Almost all scald burns caused by inadvertent turning
of hot water tap could be avoided if the setting of hot water heater does not
exceed 120oF.
By its vary nature, the injury is likely to be limited to the skin, or mouth
and throat. When hot liquids are drunk. A greater depth of injury is achieved
on contact with liquid such as hot oil tar, or mlten metal which are many times
hotter than boiling water. In these cases, deeper layers of skin are also
affected.
The liquid responsible for scalding may be seen on the clothes and body.
Sometimes its smell may be abvious. The skin sudddened and bleached in
appearance. Vesication (blistering) is an important feature. Vesicles are
abundant along the course of the running liquid. The cloths are usually wet.
Burning of clothes, singeing of hair disposition of carbonaceious materials and
charring of tissues ( Common in burns) are not seen since the hot fluid or
stem is cooled during its passage.
Through the clothing the distribution of scalds is normally on unclothed
parts of body. Likewise hot liquid is cooled while being dispersed. Therefore
scalds are severe at places where hot liquid has come into initial contact with
skin. As the liquid runs down the body, the degree of scalding also
progressively diminishes.
Scars of scalds are much thinner than those of burns and causes much
less contraction and disfigurement.
Scalds are classified in degrees ,
1) reading of skin (erythema)
2) Blister formation ( Vesication due to increased capillary permeability)
an
3) Necrosis of the dermis (deeper layer of skin)

Redness appears at once and blistering takes place within a few min. The
blisters are surrounded by a thin bright red area of inflammation. there is
reddening and swelling of the papilla in the floor of the blister. If the blistered
skin is removed it will leave a pink raw surface. It superheated steam is
inhealed the mucosa of larynx and trachea may be necrosed and detached in
shreds. Laryngeal oedema may be responsible for death.
The differentiation between antemortem and postmortem blister is
already outlined in the chapter on burns.
The differentiation between antemortem and postmortem blister is
already in the chapter on burns.
 Scalds are usually accidental due to splashing of fluid from cooking
utensils or pouring hot water during bath children may upset the vessels
containing boiling liquids or suck the spouts of kettles containing hot milk or
decreased resulting in severe scalds of mouth and throat. Boiling water may
be thrown with intent to injure or annoy. Deliberate scalding by hot fluid is
common in child abuse. A Straight horizontal burn pattern across the body or
an extremity is always suggestive of forceful immersion.