[Vitality and possible causes of punctate hemorrhages in the lower brain stem of a burned corpse].

The case under discussion of a burn victim with dot haemorrhages into the caudal brain stem confirms other observations which have only rarely been published that these dot haemorrhages are not necessarily the sequelae of an intra vitam trauma. A reliable assessment of such cases demands a comprehensive pathologic and if possible neuropathologic autopsy including follow-up investigation considering police inquiry.