A nest of baby birds in a hedgerow was doused with inflammable liquid and set alight during a domestic dispute. Four chicks that were partially decomposed and infested by maggots were submitted for examination. All chicks had been eating shortly before death and no life-threatening natural disease could be recognised at necropsy.

Charring affected feathers, beaks, wing tips, hocks and feet, and in one chick the sternum was burnt. Particles of burnt material were present on the body surfaces and, in one chick, deep within the air passages of the lungs. Some parts of the surface of each chick were unaffected. Using this pattern of exposed, burned areas and unburned parts (which were protected either by the wall of the nest or as a result of being pressed tightly against siblings), it was possible to reconstruct the situation in the nest at the time of the fire. A simple diagrammatic representation of the nest and chicks allowed the Court to visualise and understand why certain parts were burned and others spared (Fig. 7.1).

A report was received of two men dousing a young pigeon in cigarette lighter fuel, or similar inflammable liquid, before setting the bird on fire. When questioned, the accused admitted setting the bird alight but claimed that the bird was dead, lying on her back. Burnt feathers showed that flames had extended over the back from the tail, the head, and along the under surface around the vent and posterior abdomen (but not the breast), and undersurface of the right wing. Extending the left wing (Fig. 7.2) revealed that the feathers at the wing tip, and over part of the back of the bird, were undamaged. These areas of burning indicate that the pigeon was resting on her chest with her right wing extended but the left wing held tightly against the body.

The marked hyperaemia of the right side of the head (Fig. 7.3) and of the left foot (Fig. 7.2) is a vital reaction and confirms that the bird survived the attack for a limited period. Internally there was no evidence of natural disease or other trauma that might account for disability or death of this bird.

History:

As part of an intimidation attack by a gang involved in serious crime, a bull terrier belonging to a member of a competing gang was seized. He was secured to a railing by his chain collar, cut and stabbed with a knife, and then burned to death on a fire set beneath him.

Findings:

Interpretation:

The blood in the frontal sinuses suggested that the skull fractures had occurred before death.

The blood, froth and carbon particles through the respiratory tract clearly indicated that the dog was alive whilst in the fire.

The splitting of the skin in burnt cadavers must be viewed with some caution. Splits are known to arise in the heated skin of burnt human corpses,³ particularly over extensor surfaces and joints; the same may be true for domestic animals. Such splits can mimic ante-mortem wounds and need to be differentiated from true wounds. This may be difficult if heat damage is considerable, but examination of deeper tissues may provide convincing evidence of ante-mortem wounding.