Use of “rescue burns” as another term of expression in certain situations of burns

Abstract

We write in reply to the article entitled ‘‘Clinical forensic evidence in burns: rescuer burns’’ by Kumar et al. [1]. The authors [1] quite rightly point out that ‘‘. . . burns are generally classified as accidental, suicidal or homicidal burns’’. But then they [1] go on to make a ‘disturbing’ comment that ‘‘. . . rescuer burns should be classified separately somewhere in between accidental and suicidal burns’’. The phrase ‘somewhere in between’ seems inappropriate and ambiguous when opining on the manner of injuries or burns, as any medicolegal professional would agree. No doubt the authors [1] have raised a pertinent question regarding the classification of the manner of burn injuries sustained by a rescuer while attempting to rescue a fire victim. However, they fail to satisfactorily address the issue in question. It must, therefore, be pointed out that their ‘discussion’ is not an appropriate reflection of the ‘title’ of their article. Manner of burns sustained by a rescuer can neither be classified as accidental nor suicidal (and obviously never homicidal!). Such burns cannot be termed accidental when the rescuer is aware of the risk of being burnt during the rescue act and knowingly on purpose participates in the rescue act. A person meets with an accident, and does not meet an accident. Even though a rescue act is intentional or deliberate, the intent of the rescuer is not to harm himself; but to rescue another person. Therefore, such burns cannot also be deemed suicidal. Kumar et al. [1] mention that burns sustained by the rescuer are often classified as accidental burns. That is precisely why the use of ‘‘rescue burns’’ as an alternative expression to indicate the manner of sustaining burns in such cases has its benefits. Without this option, one may be forced to certify such burn injuries as accidental or, in rare instances, as suicidal. The ‘‘rescue burns’’ option will allow easy tracking and identification of such cases to suggest and implement safety measures to prevent or reduce the incidence of such injuries in the future, and will also allow more consistent and appropriate reporting of accidental and suicidal burns. Finally, to the family of the injured or deceased rescuer, the insurance