Homicidal head injury with post-mortem burns: A case report

Abstract

Homicide by blunt head injury is relatively common as the most frequently involved organ when a blunt weapon is used to be the head. Head is one of the most vital parts in our body. Sometimes, such a case may be subjected to burns to hide the actual cause of death or to destroy the identity of the victim. Identification may be very difficult when there is involvement of head and face and this may be even more difficult when there is absence of body belongings and ornaments. Involvement of hands may destroy finger ridges too making it unsuitable for preservation of fingerprints. In this case report we examined a case of homicide by blunt head injury which was later on burned to destroy identity of the individual and to mislead the investigating officers in the determination of the cause of death.