Citation

Lemos YV, Menrique Corradi L, Calmon Silva M, de Oliveira Couto L, Bittencourt GH, Santos Dionísio A, Zatti Lima A, Alberto Cardoso M, Cunha E. Forensic Sci. Res. 2022; 7(4): 628-632.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/20961790.2022.2067727

PMID

36817249

PMCID

PMC9930847

Abstract

This article presents a forensic case of an unusual illegal cremation of a person using a process colloquially known as the "microwave oven" practice in Brazil. The microwave process involves two actions: placing the victim in a tire stack and then setting the structure on fire using flammable substances to accelerate the progression. A similar practice, identified as "necklacing", has also been reported in other countries such as South Africa. This report presents a case of microwave oven cremation of a body found in a rural area of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The forensic work helped determine the biological profile and identity of the victim using radiological comparisons. Although the microwave oven cremation practice is rare, it can impose challenges for investigators. Therefore, fully understanding this practice can be helpful to the academic and forensic communities.

Language: en

Keywords

homicide; human identification; Forensic sciences; carbonization; cremation