Archiv für Kriminologie
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Archiv für Kriminologie · May 1998
Case Reports[Death by burning in open spaces. Death caused by suicide or homicide?].
The authors report on four cases of suicidal fire deaths in the open air. In three cases the proper cause of death was severe burning and in one case deep cuts of the neck. In all these events the concentrations of CO-Hb were < 30%. ⋯ The autopsy findings and the scene allowed a reconstruction of the course of events. All victims had motives of suicide. The authors conclude that close cooperation between police, fire experts and forensic medicine is necessary to permit a correct classification of the mode of death in such cases.