At autopsy of a suspected fire death, a narrow zone of vivid hyperaemia is seen at the margin between burnt and unburnt skin. This 'red line of heat' indicates that:
- A The victim was alive when the burns were sustained ✓
- B The burns were inflicted after death
- C The burns were caused by a chemical agent
- D The victim died of carbon monoxide poisoning before burning
Correct answer: A. The victim was alive when the burns were sustained
Explanation
The red line of heat is a vital reaction produced by active vascular dilatation and congestion at the periphery of a burn, and it can develop only in living tissue. Its presence proves the burn was antemortem. B purely postmortem burn shows parchmented, brownish, hard areas without any hyperaemic border or inflammatory infiltrate on microscopy.
Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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