Which single finding best distinguishes an antemortem burn blister from a postmortem blister produced by heat applied to a dead body?

• A Elevated roof of the blister containing fluid
• B Location of the blister over a dependent part of the body
• C Parchment-like drying of the surrounding skin
• D Bright red inflammatory areola surrounding the blister base ✓

Explanation

An antemortem blister shows a vital reaction: the base is surrounded by a bright red zone of inflammation and the fluid is rich in proteins and chlorides with albumin and fibrin. A postmortem blister has air or scanty serous fluid, lacks the inflammatory areola, and shows no cellular reaction. Elevation of the blister roof occurs in both and therefore does not discriminate.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.