{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T23:20:35Z","timestamp":1791415235647,"version":"4.3.3"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]],"date-time":"2026-03-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1774396800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Med Sci Law"],"abstract":"<jats:p>In the Eastern Black Sea Region, located in the northeast of Turkey, traditional wooden houses with rich visual and architectural features represent an important aspect of folk building arts. However, fires in these wooden houses, which have a high fire load, pose a significant public health issue, leading to substantial loss of life and property. This study aimed to evaluate deaths caused by wooden house fires over a 10-year-period from a forensic medicine perspective, with the goal of raising social awareness and providing recommendations for prevention and protection. 87.1% of the victims died at the scene. 68.2% of the bodies exhibited fourth-degree (carbonized) burns. 78.8% showed macroscopic soot contamination in the lower respiratory tract. 69.4% had elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin levels, with a mean value of 41.2%. Identification was achieved through DNA comparison analysis in 36.5% of cases. The study determined that 83.6% of the deaths resulted from direct carbon monoxide intoxication, direct burns, or a combination of burns and carbon monoxide intoxication. To accurately determine both the identity of the deceased and the true cause of death in fire victims, a comprehensive investigation is essential. This includes detailed crime scene examination and extended toxicological, pathological, radiological, and molecular genetic analyses alongside autopsy procedures. Strong correlations were identified between blood carboxyhemoglobin levels, soot contamination in the lower respiratory tract (macroscopic and microscopic), and fire-related causes of death. Furthermore, DNA comparison analysis enables 100% accurate identification, even in highly carbonized bodies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/00258024261435764","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]],"date-time":"2026-03-25T08:10:51Z","timestamp":1774426251000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["A forensic disciplinary investigation of deaths caused by traditional wooden house fires; A 10-year autopsy study in Turkey"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0720-5669","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Talip","family":"Vural","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Ataturk University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Melike","family":"Erba\u015f","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Council of Forensic Medicine 2nd Specialization Board"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"H\u00fcseyin \u00c7","family":"Ketenci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_2","unstructured":"TC. Rize Valili\u011fi. Ta\u015f Ve Ah\u015fap Yap\u0131lar. http:\/\/www.rize.gov.tr\/tas-ve-ahsap-yapilar (accessed 15 February 2024)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.32704\/erdem.2008.52.041"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.31466\/kfbd.1229963"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.17719\/jisr.2019.3198","article-title":"Artvin itfaiye m\u00fcd\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fc\u2019n\u00fcn 2008-2017 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda m\u00fcdahale etti\u011fi k\u00f6y yang\u0131nlar\u0131 \u00fczerine bir inceleme","volume":"12","author":"Y\u0131lmaz G","year":"2019","unstructured":"Y\u0131lmaz G, Usta G, Torpu\u015f K. Artvin itfaiye m\u00fcd\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fc\u2019n\u00fcn 2008-2017 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda m\u00fcdahale etti\u011fi k\u00f6y yang\u0131nlar\u0131 \u00fczerine bir inceleme. J. Int. Soc. Res 2019; 12.","journal-title":"J. Int. Soc. Res"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/PAF.0000000000000292"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_7_2","first-page":"539","article-title":"Evaluation of the fire-related deaths: Autopsy study","volume":"27","author":"H\u0130 A","year":"2021","unstructured":"H\u0130 A, Ketenci H\u00c7, Askay M, et al. Evaluation of the fire-related deaths: Autopsy study. Ulus. Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg 2021; 27: 539\u2013546.","journal-title":"Ulus. Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jflm.2009.05.005"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_9_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.legalmed.2023.102233"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_10_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s13244-018-0633-2"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_11_2","first-page":"37","article-title":"Trabzon b\u00fcy\u00fck\u015fehir belediyesi itfaiye dairesi ba\u015fkanl\u0131\u011f\u0131n\u0131n 2010-2020 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda m\u00fcdahale etti\u011fi yang\u0131nlar \u00fczerine bilimsel bir de\u011ferlendirme","volume":"6","author":"Gencer D","year":"2021","unstructured":"Gencer D, Pala \u0130T. Trabzon b\u00fcy\u00fck\u015fehir belediyesi itfaiye dairesi ba\u015fkanl\u0131\u011f\u0131n\u0131n 2010-2020 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda m\u00fcdahale etti\u011fi yang\u0131nlar \u00fczerine bilimsel bir de\u011ferlendirme. Hastane \u00d6ncesi Dergisi 2021; 6: 37\u201350.","journal-title":"Hastane \u00d6ncesi Dergisi"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_12_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.31466\/kfbd.312280"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_13_2","first-page":"105","article-title":"\u22122017 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda artvin il merkezinde meydana gelen bina yang\u0131nlar\u0131n\u0131n incelenmesi","volume":"2018","author":"Kara \u0130B","year":"2013","unstructured":"Kara \u0130B. \u22122017 y\u0131llar\u0131 aras\u0131nda artvin il merkezinde meydana gelen bina yang\u0131nlar\u0131n\u0131n incelenmesi. Do\u011f Afet \u00c7ev Derg 2013; 2018: 105\u2013114.","journal-title":"Do\u011f Afet \u00c7ev Derg"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_14_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.erss.2019.05.012"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_15_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burns.2024.01.001"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_16_2","unstructured":"Chiang TH Lin FT. A Delineation of Fire Risk Zones in Urban Area. In: 2nd International Conference on Urban Disaster Reduction 2007 pp. 27\u201329."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_17_2","unstructured":"The International Association of Fire Services (CTIF) World fire statistics \u0131nternational association of fire and rescue services. https:\/\/www.ctif.org\/sites\/default\/files\/ctif_report22_world_fire_statistics_2017.pdf (2017 accessed 20 May 2024)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_18_2","first-page":"2095","article-title":"G\u00f6n\u00fcll\u00fc \u0130tfaiyecilik \u00f6rne\u011finde t\u00fcrkiye\u2019de belediye hizmetlerine g\u00f6n\u00fcll\u00fc kat\u0131l\u0131m","volume":"22","author":"Pekta\u015f E","year":"2017","unstructured":"Pekta\u015f E. G\u00f6n\u00fcll\u00fc \u0130tfaiyecilik \u00f6rne\u011finde t\u00fcrkiye\u2019de belediye hizmetlerine g\u00f6n\u00fcll\u00fc kat\u0131l\u0131m. S\u00fcleyman Demirel \u00dcniversitesi \u0130ktisadi ve \u0130dari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi 2017; 22: 2095\u20132107.","journal-title":"S\u00fcleyman Demirel \u00dcniversitesi \u0130ktisadi ve \u0130dari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_19_2","volume-title":"DiMaio's forensic pathology","author":"DiMaio VJ","year":"2001","unstructured":"DiMaio VJ, Molina DK. DiMaio's forensic pathology. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2001.","edition":"2"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_20_2","volume-title":"Medicolegal investigation of death: Guidelines for the application of pathology to crime investigation","author":"Spitz WU","year":"1973","unstructured":"Spitz WU, Russell SF. Medicolegal investigation of death: Guidelines for the application of pathology to crime investigation. Springfield (Ill.): Thomas, 1973."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_21_2","first-page":"127","article-title":"Basic competencies in forensic pathology: A forensic pathology primer","volume":"1","author":"Prahlow JA","year":"2006","unstructured":"Prahlow JA. Basic competencies in forensic pathology: A forensic pathology primer. College of American Pathologists 2006; 1: 127\u2013133.","journal-title":"College of American Pathologists"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_22_2","first-page":"118","article-title":"Ya\u015fl\u0131 bireylerin yaln\u0131zl\u0131k d\u00fczeyleri ve sosyal destek alg\u0131lar\u0131 aras\u0131ndaki ili\u015fki","volume":"2","author":"Ozvurmaz S","year":"2018","unstructured":"Ozvurmaz S. Ya\u015fl\u0131 bireylerin yaln\u0131zl\u0131k d\u00fczeyleri ve sosyal destek alg\u0131lar\u0131 aras\u0131ndaki ili\u015fki. Adnan Menderes \u00dcniversitesi Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bilimleri Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi 2018; 2: 118\u2013125.","journal-title":"Adnan Menderes \u00dcniversitesi Sa\u011fl\u0131k Bilimleri Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_23_2","unstructured":"T\u00fcrkiye \u0130statistik Kurumu. Adrese dayal\u0131 n\u00fcfus kay\u0131t sistemi sonu\u00e7lar\u0131. https:\/\/data.tuik.gov.tr\/Bulten\/Index?p=Adrese-Dayal%C4%B1-N%C3%BCfus-Kay%C4%B1t-Sistemi-Sonu%C3%A7lar%C4%B1-2023-49684&dil=1 (2023 accessed 10 June 2024)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_24_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cpr.2006.04.002"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_25_2","first-page":"89","article-title":"The evaluation of the loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older age group","volume":"8","author":"\u00dcnal G","year":"2005","unstructured":"\u00dcnal G, Bilge A. The evaluation of the loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older age group. Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2005; 8: 89\u201393.","journal-title":"Turkish Journal of Geriatrics"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_26_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-018-0040-5"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_27_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2023.111618"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_28_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.legalmed.2009.01.045"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_29_2","first-page":"553","article-title":"Primary identification methods and their effectiveness in mass disaster situations: A literature review","volume":"1","author":"Gaglietti NM","year":"2017","unstructured":"Gaglietti NM, Silva SR. Primary identification methods and their effectiveness in mass disaster situations: A literature review. Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine 2017; 1: 553\u2013559.","journal-title":"Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_30_2","unstructured":"Ceza Muhakemesi Kanunu. G\u00f6zlem alt\u0131na al\u0131nma muayene ke\u015fif ve otopsi. https:\/\/www.mevzuat.gov.tr\/MevzuatMetin\/1.5.5271-20041204.pdf (accessed 8 July 2024)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_31_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.28956\/gbd.942166","article-title":"Afet kurbanlar\u0131n\u0131n kimliklendirilmesinde kullan\u0131lan y\u00f6ntemler ve \u00fclkemizdeki durum","volume":"10","author":"Ak\u0131nc\u0131o\u011flu NU","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ak\u0131nc\u0131o\u011flu NU, Aslan \u0130, Do\u011fan Y. Afet kurbanlar\u0131n\u0131n kimliklendirilmesinde kullan\u0131lan y\u00f6ntemler ve \u00fclkemizdeki durum. G\u00fcvenlik Bilimleri Dergisi 2021; 10: 217\u2013238.","journal-title":"G\u00fcvenlik Bilimleri Dergisi"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_32_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fri.2023.200533"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_33_2","volume-title":"Burns and Fire Deaths. Forensic and Legal Medicine","author":"\u017divkovi\u0107 V","year":"2024","unstructured":"\u017divkovi\u0107 V, Nikoli\u0107 S. Burns and Fire Deaths. Forensic and Legal Medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2024."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_34_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.14744\/tjtes.2024.40245"}],"container-title":["Medicine, Science and the Law"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/00258024261435764","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/00258024261435764","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/00258024261435764","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T08:40:50Z","timestamp":1777624850000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/00258024261435764"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]]},"references-count":33,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/00258024261435764"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/00258024261435764","relation":{},"ISSN":["0025-8024","2042-1818"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0025-8024","type":"print"},{"value":"2042-1818","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]]},"article-number":"00258024261435764"}}