title: Necrotizing fasciitis: reports of three fatal cases simulating and resulting from assaults.
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis is a progressive, potentially fatal, rapid, necrotizing infection of the subcutaneous tissues and fascia often caused by a mixture of organisms or by infection with group A Streptococcus pyogenes with or without Staphylococcus aureus. Three cases are presented that have been encountered in forensic pathologic practice. Two cases presented after assaults, and the third simulated an assault and burglary. The history, scene, and pathologic findings are presented with a brief review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology, Medico-Legal Centre, Sheffield, England.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Rutty
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Busuttil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D002081:Buttocks / Q000293:injuries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014754:Violence; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications