Appearance of chemical burns resulting from the washing of a deceased body with bleach.
The authors report on a case of postmortem washing of a body with bleach. An adult female victim was found nude in an alleyway with both hands removed in the City of Westminster, CO. Cause of death was attributed to severe blunt force trauma to the head. The victim had been dumped in the alleyway within 7 h of discovery. Evidence discovered at the crime scene and autopsy indicated that the murder and subsequent washing of the body with bleach occurred at a secondary location(s). The victim was wet to the touch, presenting a strong odor of bleach. Several "ribbon"-like burn patterns were observed on the victim's back and upper thighs. These burn marks were replicated by dowsing a deceased pig with an over-the-counter concentration of bleach.
Adair
Thomas W
TW
Westminster Police Department, Westminster, CO 80031, USA. tadair@ci.westminster.co.us
Dobersen
Michael J
MJ
Lear-Kaul
Kelly
K
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000473:pathology; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013552:Swine
D004202:Disinfectants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite