The tongue protrusion in post-mortem fire.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Odontology
• Burn Fatality Analysis

Background:

• Tongue protrusion is a recognized sign in strangulation deaths but often overlooked in fire fatalities.
• The mechanisms and significance of tongue protrusion in vital versus non-vital burning remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively evaluate tongue protrusion in carbonized corpses.
• To assess the occurrence of tongue protrusion in vital and non-vital fire fatalities.
• To highlight the role of forensic odontologists in examining such cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case review of carbonized corpses examined at the Forensic Pathology service of the University of Florence.
• Analysis of tongue protrusion occurrence in relation to vital and non-vital fire exposure.
• Documentation of forensic odontologist involvement.

Main Results:

• Tongue protrusion was observed in 100% of vital fire cases and 66% of non-vital fire cases.
• Forensic odontologists were involved in only one-third of the examined cases.
• In two non-vital cases, the tongue was protruded and clenched between the teeth, potentially due to genioglossus muscle heat-induced rigor.

Conclusions:

• Tongue protrusion is a common finding in fire fatalities, irrespective of vital or non-vital burning.
• Heat-induced genioglossus rigor may explain tongue protrusion and clenching.
• Enhanced collaboration between forensic pathologists and odontologists is crucial for interpreting oral evidence in fire fatalities.