Social Question

john65pennington's avatar

Spontaneous Human Combustion: myth or reality?

Asked by john65pennington (29278points) August 26th, 2011

I have not heard of a modern day case of spontaneous human combustion. I can understand SC as it occurs in silos and such, but not having a current case of SC, leads me to believe that these cases were a myth, instead of reality in human burning cases. Today’s modern forensics would surely discount a human body burning from the inside, without any reasonable explanation. Question: since no modern day cases of SC have occured in humans, does this lead you to believe that earlier reported cases were just a myth or are the facts still unknown?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

9 Answers

rebbel's avatar

I think it is a load of crap, this whole spontaneous human co….......WHOOOSHHHHH…...
................

rebbel (35553points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…
ucme's avatar

Curry for dinner, fart & a blow torch!! Kaboom!!

ucme (50052points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
gasman's avatar

Myth. Most cases of partly-burned corpses involve the so-called wick effect.

gasman (11350points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
wilma's avatar

I can personally attest to the fact that I have felt like I was experiencing spontaneous combustion many times.
Some people call it having a hot flash.

wilma (16457points)“Great Answer” (3points) Flag as…
flutherother's avatar

This is the best explanation I have seen.

flutherother (35015points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…
Blueroses's avatar

Something that only happens to Spinal Tap drummers.

Blueroses (18261points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
gasman's avatar

I uncovered another article: Spontaneous Human Combustion. Thoughts of a Forensic Biologist, published in Skeptical Inquirer, 1998 (not for the squeamish).

Quick excerpt: In forensic practice, there are no known cases in which internal organs of a burned corpse were damaged more severely than the outer parts (see Figure 6). This practical observation is further proof that combustion never starts from inside a human body.

gasman (11350points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
flutherother's avatar

There was a report today of a case of spontaneous combustion in Ireland.

flutherother (35015points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.
Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther