A prospective study of medicolegal autopsies to establish profile of burn deaths

Burns injuries have been a one of the major cause of concern since prehistoric time to the present era of modern medicine. Burn is considered to be the commonest cause of unnatural death in India.Burns are injuries produced by application of dry heat such as flame, radiant heat or some heated solid substance like metal or glass to the body. Dry heat, application of hot bodies, licking by flames resulting in simple burns causes local injury to the body. Moist heat leading to scalds, corrosive poisons resulting in corrosive burns. Electric spark, discharges, flashes and lightning leads to electric burns.Present study aim to know the magnitude of burn deaths in the region of southern marathwada region. Two years prospective study was conducted at Government Medical College Latur. Study of medico legal autopsies to establish the profile of burn deaths was carried out. In the present study, it is found that burns are commonly found in female (72.04%) than in females. Housewives (43.52%) were common victims followed by works (9.80%). Most of the incidences took place in morning hours (45.53%). Most common place of incidence was house (83%). Kerosene (57.63%) was the most common accelerant used to cause burn. If percentage of burn increases, the survival period decreases and vice versa. Most common alleged manner of death was accident (53, 6%).