Editing Death by burning (section)

== Effects ==
In the process of being burned to death, a body experiences burns to tissue, changes in content and distribution of [[body fluid]], [[fixation (histology)|fixation]] of tissue, and shrinkage (especially of the skin).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bohnert |first1=Michael |title=Forensic Pathology Reviews |chapter=Morphological Findings in Burned Bodies |publisher=Humana Press |pages=3–27 |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-59259-786-4_1 |date=2004|volume=1 |isbn=978-1617375507 }}</ref> Internal organs may be shrunken due to fluid loss. Shrinkage and contraction of the muscles may cause joints to flex and the body to adopt the "pugilistic stance" (boxer stance), with the elbows and knees flexed and the fists clenched.<ref>{{cite web |title=What happens to human bodies when they are burned |url=https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/forensic-archaeology-and-anthropology/0/steps/67911 |website=FutureLearn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pugilistic attitude (posture) |url=https://www.interfire.org/termoftheweek.asp?term=1660 |website=interfire.org}}</ref> Shrinkage of the skin around the neck may be severe enough to [[strangling|strangle]] a victim.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Maxeiner |first1=H. |title=[Hemorrhage of the head and neck in death by burning] |journal=Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin. Journal of Legal Medicine |pages=61–80 |doi=10.1007/BF00200288 |year=1988|volume=101 |issue=2 |pmid=3055743 |s2cid=42121516 }}</ref> Fluid shifts, especially in the [[skull]] and in the hollow organs of the [[abdominal cavity|abdomen]], can cause pseudo-hemorrhages in the form of [[epidural hematoma|heat hematomas]]. The [[organic matter]] of the body may be consumed as [[fuel]] by a fire. The cause of death is frequently determined by the respiratory tract, where [[edema]] or bleeding of [[mucous membranes]] and patchy or vesicular detachment of the [[mucosa]] may be indicative of inhalation of hot gases. Complete [[cremation]] is only achieved under extreme circumstances.

The amount of pain experienced is greatest at the beginning of the burning process before the flame burns the [[nerves]], after which the skin does not hurt.<ref>{{cite web |author=Guardian Staff |title=What does death by burning mean? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2003/apr/26/theeditorpressreview |website=The Guardian |date=26 April 2003}}</ref> Many victims die quickly from suffocation as hot gases damage the respiratory tract. Those who survive the burning frequently die within days as the [[lung]]s' [[pulmonary alveolus|alveoli]] fill with fluid and the victim dies of [[pulmonary edema]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} <!-- are there any examples other than extremely abnormal ones with a very small fire where victims survived?
 -->