New Trends in Forensic Investigation of Charred Bodies

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue follows the international seminar entitled “The Charred Corpse” (“Il Cadavere Carbonizzato”) held in Bologna, Italy, in December 2022 and organized by the Italian Forensic Pathology Group (Gruppo Italiano di Patologia Forense, GIPF). Invited speakers, including outstanding international guests, illustrated the challenges encountered facing cases dealing with fire and charred bodies. In particular, the following topics were discussed: crime scene investigation, forensic pathology, morphological findings, macroscopic and microscopic, and identification of the cause of death; forensic radiology; estimation of the time since death and since fire exposure; identification of fire victims, considering forensic anthropology, genetics and odontology; and forensic toxicology.

Moreover, many oral communications about case reports and case series dealing with fire victims and burned bodies were presented during a dedicated session of the seminar. 

Based on the great interest demonstrated for the event, which accounted more than 230 attendees, this Special Issue entitled “New Trends in Forensic Investigation of Charred Bodies” will be dedicated to the following topics:

• Crime scene investigation issues in fires;
• Forensic radiology and imaging;
• Forensic pathology, morphological macroscopic findings;
• Forensic pathology, morphological microscopic findings and immunohistochemistry;
• Time since fire exposure of the body and timing of death;
• Identification issues;
• Forensic toxicology.

All manuscripts invited by Guest Editors will be published free of charge, if accepted after peer review.

Prof. Dr. Giancarlo Di Vella
Dr. Elvira Ventura Spagnolo
Dr. Giovanni Cecchetto
Dr. Paolo Fais
Prof. Dr. Francesco Ventura
Guest Editors

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