A five-year overview of fatal thermal and electrical burns in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Burn injuries affect millions of people globally each year. South Africa is a developing country where fatal fires are common. Despite the pervasiveness of fatal burns in South Africa, there is a paucity of information regarding the frequency of fatal burns in the city of Johannesburg. This study aimed to describe the demographics and frequency of fatal burn cases received at the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-legal Laboratory for medico-legal death investigations. This study was a five-year (2010-2014) retrospective review of 185 forensic medico-legal case files of the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-legal Laboratory. The demographic at the greatest risk of fatal burns in Johannesburg, South Africa are black males between the ages of 20-39 years. The most common type of fatal burns is thermal in nature, as a result of flames. Burns are prevalent in the winter months, most notably July and August. Burn wounds are most common on the head, chest, upper back, abdomen, arms, and legs. This study is the first to report of fatal burns in Johannesburg, South Africa and may be used as a source to improve public services for the prevention of fatal burns.