Citation

Romolo FS, Aromatario M, Bottoni E, Cappelletti S, Fiore PA, Ciallella C. Forensic Sci. Int. 2014; 234: e5-9.

Affiliation

Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy; Institut de Police Scientifique, Université de Lausanne, Batiment Batochimie, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: francescosaverio.romolo@uniroma1.it.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.09.024

PMID

24279979

Abstract

An interesting case of accidental death involving the explosion of professional fireworks in an apartment is described. The examination of the scene permitted to study several effects of the explosion on walls, ceiling, furniture and especially on a balcony where the victim was found. The external examination of the victim showed extensive thermal injuries, degloving injuries and extensive shrapnel wounds. The autopsy examination showed subarachnoid haemorrhage localized to the cerebellum, haemorrhage in the soft tissues of the neck and chest and fracture of one clavicle. Almost the entire surface of lungs showed blunt injuries and the liver showed tearing of parenchyma and multiple cavities. Histological analysis were carried out showing thickening of alveolar septae, enlargement of alveolar spaces and alveolar ruptures in lung sections while numerous, round, empty spaces were detected in the parenchyma of the liver. The examination of the scene and of the fragments found showed that at least eight pyrotechnical charges exploded on the balcony, in close proximity of the threshold with the living room of the apartment. According to the chemical findings, the charges were typical for professional use and were filled with a mixture of potassium perchlorate and aluminium. A conservative calculation results in more than 1.5kg total mass of pyrotechnic composition exploding very close to the victim.

Language: en