title: Differential diagnosis between cranial fractures of traumatic origin and explosion fractures in burned cadavers.
abstract: Interpreting the damages on a cadaver which has been exposed to the action of fire is a challenge for the forensic pathologist. The finding of a burned body gives in fact the opportunity to make a series of inquiries which deal with the whole medical-legal practice. In our case, the victim has been hit over the head with a blunt object and has been then carbonized. The medical-legal problems implied lie in the definition of the exact manner and cause of death, and therefore in the analysis of vital, perimortal and postmortal injuries, as to formulate a differential diagnosis between the former traumatic originated and the latter caused by combustion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, Rome, Italy. glmarella@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marella
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perfetti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arcudi
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005390:Fires; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology*