Forensic medical characteristics of thermal injuries caused by gasoline ignition

The article analyzes the forensic medical characteristics of thermal injuries resulting from gasoline ignition. As research material, the conclusions of 176 forensic medical examinations regarding thermal injuries were studied. It was determined that in 9 of these cases, death was associated with thermal exposure resulting from gasoline ignition. During the study, the localization of injuries, the area and degree of burns, the presence of soot particles in the respiratory tract, the level of carboxyhemoglobin, and morphological changes in the internal organs were assessed. It was found that in thermal injuries associated with gasoline ignition, deep burns of the skin and soft tissues, signs of thermal inhalation injury, the presence of soot particles in the respiratory tract, and acute circulatory disorders in the internal organs are more common. Additionally, in these cases, burn shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, and acute respiratory failure were noted as the main causes of death. The obtained results showed that a comprehensive analysis of morphological examination, forensic chemical analysis, and incident scene inspection data is of great importance in assessing thermal injuries caused by gasoline ignition.