1. Presented by Dr Anil Aggrawal BURNING CASES

2. Answer for the above questions can be achieved through the following points. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE About the Crime Scene If burn takes place in a room, it is important to see the door either it is looked, open or bolted from inside. Deposition of smoke plays an important role in it

3. Blackening on inside bolt in a burning case OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

4. Blackening on inside bolt in a burning case

5. Blackening on inside bolt a in burning case OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

6. Try to find out evidence of door breaking. If such history comes, breaking marks like splinter of wood, nails of broken bolt may be found inside of the room. Broken inside bolt OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

7. Piece of broken bolt inside of the door, near to dead body. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

8. See the direction and deposition of make on the door. If smoke is found deposited on inner side of the door and comes out the panel gap suggests closeness of the door. Direction of smoke

9. Normally, the container of fuel, and its lid, match box, used sticks, etc. are found near to the dead body because deceased will never keep the fuel container and match box at distance from the spot or in other room. Occasionally, she will close the lid after its use for suicide. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

10. Presence of match box, used & unused sticks

11. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE Container of fuel & its lid

12. In a suicidal burn case, staining of fuel material like kerosene on the floor is generally found at one place. Staining at various places including walls, usually suggests homicidal burning. Staining of fuel material on the floor OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE

13. About the Dead Body Pugilistic attitude of the dead body is a strong indication of suicidal and ante-mortem burn. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE Pugilistic attitude of the dead body

14. OBSERVATION OF CRIME SCENE The agony and contraction of face skin and muscles will leave unpainted of blackening due to carbon deposition. This certainly indicates the aliveness of deceased during the burn. Agony sign on face around eyes and nose. Unpainted neck region

15. Formation of blisters containing blood. Tinged fluid with red line of inflammation is an important sign of ante-mortem burn. Presence of cherry red blood and carbon soot in trachea is the confirmatory sign of ante-mortem burn. “The marbling of skin,” the prominent visualization of blood vessels, strongly supports ante-mortem burn.

16. BRIEF OF THE CASE HISTORY On 3 rd April 2010 at police station Nandani, Dist. – Durg it was informed that the body of two and half year old child named Labhchand was found in partially burnt condition near to the boundary wall of neighbouring granary. A marg no 20/10 U/S 174 Cr PC was registered at police station. Instead, informing to scene of crime unit, the body was shifted to mortuary for postmortem examination. The case was initially treated as an accidental burn by the police. On the next day, the forensic expert, the author, was informed by the superintendent of police, Durg to look into the matter. Forensic expert visited the mortuary room first where the body of the child was kept then the crime scene along with police photographer Ram Gopal Patel. The following observations were made.

17. Fig. 1 - Boundary wall to which the child can not cross or jump to its opposite side the actual spot

18. Fig. 2 - A hidden place at which the body of child was located

19. Fig. 3 - Close view of the place where the body was located

20. Fig. 4 - burning effect on lower tip parts of wood pieces stored at the site.

21. Fig. 5 - Burnt leaves, twings and their ash found at the site

22. Fig. 6 - Semi-Burnt piece of blue coloured cloth which was appeared to be of shift worn by the child

23. Fig. 7 - Burning effect on the soil and wood piece at the site which correspond to body position of the child.

24. Fig. 8 - Actual position of the body before fire started.

25. Fig. 9 - Position of the dead body suggest that the child has not made any movement at the time of fire.

26. Fig. 10 - Presence of vesicles and red-line indicate ante-mortom burn.

27. Fig. 11 - Passing of fecal matter further suggests the actual position of the body

28. Fig. 12 - Absolutely unburnt dorsal part of the body including hairs. body including hairs.

29. Fig. 13 - Comparatively deeper ante-mortem burn on exposed body part

30. Fig. 14 - Burning and charring effect on hairs of left temporal region

31. Tattoo Marks