SUBMODULE 6.1. INJURIES DUE TO EXPOSURE
TO HIGH TEMPERATURE
The injuring factor is hyperthermia. A rise in body temperature above 4547 °C causes death resulting from irreversible tissue changes following protein denaturation and enzyme inactivation. An increase in skin and surface tissue temperatures leads to burns (burn injury) and burn disease.
The general effect of high temperature on the body presents as heat stroke. The ambient temperature and the time of victim's exposure determine the effect.
The main causes of hyperthermia are:
► increase in the ambient temperature;
► humidity;
► no wind;
► warm clothing;
► increased muscular work.
Clinical manifestations of heat stroke depend on the body temperature.
► The body temperature of 37-38 °C results in headache, nausea, adynamia, rapid respiration, tachycardia; the skin remains unaffected.
► The body temperature of 39-40 °C results in headache with nausea and vomiting, dizziness, fainting, adynamia, rapid respiration, tachycardia; the skin is hyperemic and wet due to increased sweating.
► The body temperature of 41-42 °C and above results in loss of consciousness to the extent of coma, psychomotor agitation, delirium, hallucinations, clonic and tonic seizures, respiratory disorders and acute tachycardia, anuria; the skin is hot and dry. A further increase in body temperature causes death resulting from fatal disruption of the cardiovascular and central nervous functions.
Forensic diagnosis of death from heat stroke is based on postmortem examination and analysis of the incident circumstances. Forensic examination reveals rapid rigor mortis, acute congestion of internal organs, pulmonary congestion and swelling (black lungs), acute cerebral edema with small perivascular hemorrhages and blood clotting. The circumstances of the incident include absence of mechanical injuries, no signs of poisoning or health problems.