AbstractAim: Fixing the presence of soot particles in the airway and upper gastrointestinal tract as a reliable indicator of the ante mortem flame burns was attempted. Materials and Methods: 100 fatal victims of flame burns cases were selected based on the duration of survival and naked eye examination was done in the upper airway, lower airway, oesophagus, and stomach for the presence of soot particles. Results and Observations: Soot particles were present in the upper airway (70%), lower airway (67%), oesophagus (5%) and in the stomach (3%) Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that presence of the soot particles in the lower airway could be taken as a reliable indicator of the ante mortem flame burns.

Keywords: flame burns, soot particles, airway, ante mortem.