Burns in Child Abuse Investigation Cases

Contact with fire is the most common cause of burns in child abuse cases but other less common causes of burns include scalds (burns from hot liquids), electrical burns and chemical burns.

We launch into this informative discussion right out of the gate describing the different types of burns. Lets jump in:

The Different Types of Burns

There are four main types of burns that are often seen in child abuse cases: scald, contact, electrical, and chemical. These burns can range in severity from first-degree to third-degree, with fourth-degree being the most severe.

Superficial burns

Superficial burns are the least serious type of burn. They damage only the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis). Most often, they can be treated at home. Superficial burns may cause redness, pain, and swelling. Minor superficial burns usually heal in 3 to 6 days without scarring.

Superficial partial-thickness burns

Superficial partial-thickness burns affect the outer layer of skin and the layer below it (the dermis). These burns are also called first-degree or second-degree burns. Superficial partial-thickness burns are usually less painful than full-thickness burns because some of the nerve endings in the dermis are still intact. They often heal in 7 to 21 days with little or no Scarring .

Deep partial-thickness burns

Deep partial-thickness burns damage the outer layer of skin and all layers below it, getting into the fatty tissue beneath the skin. These Burns are also called second-degree or third-degree Burns . Deep partial thickness Burns can be very painful because all of the nerve endings in the area may be damaged. They often take 4 weeks or longer to heal and may result in permanent Scarring .

Partial-thickness burns

Partial-thickness burns injure the epidermis and dermis, the two outermost layers of skin. Sometimes calle