Anatomic Pathology: Forensic Pathology

1152) All of the following statements regarding the finding shown in the image are correct EXCEPT:

• A person may die in a fire and have a normal carboxyhemoglobin saturation if there were resuscitation attempts before death or if there was a flash fire and the person died quickly.

• One would not expect this degree of carbonaceous material in the airway (or an elevated carboxyhemoglobin saturation) in a person who was dead before the fire or smoke started.

Adelson L: Pathology of Homicide. Springfield, StateIL: Charles C Thomas, 1974.

 
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