Elsevier Pathology

Anatomic Pathology: Forensic Pathology

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1189) A 65-year-old woman was found with second-degree and third-degree burns of primarily her head, chest, and abdomen on the bathroom floor of her locked and secured apartment at an assisted living facility when a fire alarm sounded. The decedent, who lived alone, had a past medical history of breast cancer and was prescribed quetiapine (Seroquel). Two items that were found on the sink above the decedent’s body at the scene of the investigation are shown. What would be the appropriate next step?

• The manner of death is suicide. The cause of death is thermal cutaneous injuries secondary to self-immolation.

• The woman lived alone and was prescribed Seroquel for depression.

Davis GG: Mind your manners. Part I: History of death certification and manner of death classification. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1997;18(3):219-223.

DiMaio VJ, DiMaio DJ: Forensic Pathology, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2001, pp 367-388.

Goodin J, Hanzlick R: Mind your manners. Part II: General results from the National Association of Medical Examiners Manner of Death Questionnaire, 1995. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1997;18(3):224-227.

Goodin J, Hanzlick R: Mind your manners. Part III: Individual scenario results and discussion of the National Association of Medical Examiners Manner of Death Questionnaire, 1995. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1997;18(3):228-245.

Spitz WU: Thermal injuries.In Spitz WU (ed): Spitz and Fisher’s Medicolegal Investigation of Death. Springfield: Charles C Thomas, 2006, pp 747-782.

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