Forensic investigation of burned human remains in fire-related deaths: multidisciplinary perspectives and emerging...

The forensic investigation of burned human remains serves as a critical basis for forensic case characterization in fire-related deaths. Owing to the complexity of fire scenes, postmortem heat-induced artifacts can severely interfere with forensic interpretation. Consequently, the assessment of vital reaction and the determination of the cause of death in burned human remains have long been key and challenging issues in both fire investigation and forensic practice. In recent years, substantial advances have been made in techniques for the forensic examination of burned human remains. From the perspectives of forensic pathology, forensic toxicology, and forensic trace evidence analysis, this review systematically summarizes the latest research progress in vital reaction assessment and cause-of-death determination in such cases. Particular emphasis is placed on advances in detailed external examination, detection of thermal injury-related molecular biomarkers, analysis of toxicants and their characteristic metabolites in the body, and trace evidence analysis associated with burned human remains. This review aims to provide systematic and integrated support for determining the timing of death in relation to fire exposure, cause-of-death determination, determining the cause and origin of the fire, and reconstructing the fire scene.