2. Explosions
Phenomenon resulting from sudden release
of energy which is then dissipated by a blast
wave, by translocation of objects in space, or
by the generation of heat.
3. Injuries from Explosions
These are mainly due to four factors:
1.Blast
2.Flame or hot gases
3.Flying missiles
4.Falling Masonry
5.Fumes/Anoxia
4. Injuries from Explosions
1.Blast:
When high explosive is detonated, it produces shock wave which spreads
concentrically from the explosion site, at the speed of sound, causing a
tremendous blast effect. Anything in the immediate vicinity is completely
obliterated. A body thus exposed is so shattered that it’s study will be
limited to identification of remains and of foreign metallic and the other
matter embedded in the fragmentary tissues which provide some clues to
the source of explosion.
5. Injuries from Explosions
If the explosion occurs at a slightly greater distance may
blow the victim against the wall or toss him through the air
causing blunt force injuries.
Blast lesion depend upon the pressure waves.
6. Injuries from Explosions
Blast…
The parts of the body most readily damaged by blast waves are
hollow organs such as lungs, bowels or ear-drums and others
which are most easily displaced e.g. brain and abdominal viscera.
Three definite waves are recognized which produce the above
blast injuries
i. Wave of positive pressure
ii. Wave of mass movement of air (displacement)
iii. Wave of negative pressure
7. Injuries from Explosions
• Blast…
Blast effects are easily transmitted in water. As water is 800 times
denser and 1000 times less compressible than air. Injuries
produced from the same blast are far more serious and severe for
victims under water than those in the air.
Since there are no injuries due to secondary impacts, the victim
present very little external but massive internal damage.
8. Injuries from Explosions
2.Flame or Hot Gases:
Burns or burning of the body may occur due to the flame or hot
gases of explosion.
When a bomb explodes, the temperature of explosive gases can
exceed 2000 degree Celsius and the heat radiated can cause flash
burns.
Burn produced by explosions in mines or gunpowder are usually very
extensive and accompanied by blackening and tattooing due to
exploded particles being driven into the skin.
9. Injuries from Explosions
3.Flying missiles:
As a result of explosions, flying pieces of explosive may be drive through air against the skin causing
abrasions, bruises, lacerations and ragged perforations of various size and shape.
4.Falling Masonry:
When a bomb demolishes a building/porch, etc., the persons inside the building or
underneath the porch etc. receive multiple injuries from the collapsing structures and
on many occasion, these injuries may be the only effects of the explosion on the body
The victims are often heavily soiled by blood, dirt, dust and oil, etc.
In some cases there may be signs of crush asphyxia (Purple discoloration of upper
part of body with petechial haemorrhages into the skin and the conjunctivae.)
10. Injuries from Explosions
5.Fumes/Anoxia:
Depending on contents of the explosive various gases may be
liberated. Such gases include CO (carbon monoxide), Nitrous and
Nitric gases, Hydrogen Sulphide, Sulphur Dioxide and Hydro
Cyanic Acid. Their inhalation may result in poisoning (Histotoxic
Anoxia).
11. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
Postmortem examination of a explosion victim
involve the following major objective
1. Identification of the victim(s)
2. Enlisting the injuries
3. Cause of death
4. Medico legal aspects
12. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
• Identification of the victim(s):
When the body is badly shattered there will be problems of
identification.
In the investigation of injuries or deaths it is necessary to
have good photographs and sketches of the scene.
Complete body x-raying of victim is very important before
clothing is removed.
13. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
Clothing and foreign material removed from the clothes should
be carefully preserved for laboratory examination. As these
fragments may reveal the bomb mechanism.
Finger printing must never be omitted wherever possible since it
can prove or confirm identity in many cases.
14. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
• Enlisting the injuries:
Apart from injuries due to burns, flying missiles,
falling debris, and the effect of poisonous gases, the
blast wave produces scattered foci of small
haemorrhages in brain, lungs, bowels and mesentery.
15. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
• Enlisting the injuries:.
Signs of crush asphyxia may be characteristically found when death
occur due to some falling masonry.
Passive hyperemia and oedema cause serious secondary brain and
lung lesions. Other injuries such as intracranial haemorrhage,
contusion of brain and heart, and aortic injuries, bladder injuries,
stomach and bowel injuries have been described.
16. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
•Cause of death
It may result from variety of causes e.g.
Body may be completely shattered and disintegrated as
a result of blast effect in the vicinity of the blast.
When one is some little distance away from it, death
may result from burns, blunt force injuries and following
debris.
17. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
Cause of death
Death results from asphyxia due to inhalation of products of
combustion, and in some case from crush syndrome: crushed by
debris of building demolished by explosion
Victim may be little injured but may die from profound shock.
Another possible cause of rapid death without severe injury is
systemic air embolism.
18. Autopsy in Explosion Deaths
• Medico legal aspects:
Injuries from explosion are mainly accidental.
Their homicidal use is now common with the use of
bombs by terrorist to destroy specific targets such as
government buildings, bridges, public transport etc.
