Cigarette burns in forensic medicine.

Skin lesions suspected to have been caused by a burning cigarette require thorough diagnostic evaluation as to the mode of infliction. Accidental cigarette burns must be differentiated from injuries due to self-infliction or maltreatment. The typical categories are presented on the basis of the literature and exemplary cases from the authors' own study material.

[Domestic accident or child abuse?].

While playing, a 33/4-year-old girl was hiding in a tumble dryer, which had been running before and started the drying process with rotation of the drum again after the girl had climbed into the machine and shut the door. The child suffered multiple haematomas, especially on the back and the lower arms, as well as second-degree burns on body regions not covered by the clothing. The injury pattern was consistent with the properties of the appliance, and the initial suspicion that the child had been physically abused could not be maintained.

Self-inflicted injuries with negative political overtones.

The report deals with two adolescents (a 17-year-old Turkish boy and a 15-year-old German girl) who simulated right-wing assaults by cutting National Socialist symbols into their own skin. The fact that Nazi symbols were chosen was obviously due to the idea that the alleged commission of the offense by right-wingers would not be doubted due to the negative image of this group. The alleged victims did not inform the police until the family or close friends urged them to report the incident.