Forensic Assessment of Burn Trauma in an intellectually disabled individual: A case report

Abstract

Intellectual disability is one of the leading ten factors contributing to the global burden of disease, affecting 2–3% of children worldwide. Around 40% of children with intellectual disabilities have a diagnosable mental disorder, which is at least twice the rate compared to children without intellectual disabilities. This case report presents an 18-year-old female with a burn injury of unknown origin along with a history of intellectual disability and symptoms of brief psychotic disorder. This case highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate trauma in vulnerable groups, with a special focus on forensic investigation to figure out what caused the injury and other contributing factors, as establishing the cause in these individuals is challenging. Understanding whether the burns are due to self-harm, maltreatment, or an accident requires a detailed investigation of the surrounding circumstances, the pattern of the burns, the environment, the intent behind the injuries, and the origin of the burns.