THE NATURE AND EFFECT OF VEHICLE-RELATED INJURIES (I.E., INJURIES CAUSED BY VEHICLE-STRIKING ACCIDENT OR MURDER) AND THERMAL INJURIES (I.E., INJURIES CAUSED BY INCINERATION, SUFFOCATION THROUGH SMOKE INHALATIONS, AND STEAM BURNS) ARE EXAMINED, WITH ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS OF POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS: (1) IDENTIFYING CHARRED OR DISFIGURED BODIES; (2) DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN ACCIDENTAL, SUICIDAL, AND HOMICIDAL INJURIES; AND (3) DETERMINING WHETHER THE BODY WAS DEAD BEFORE IT WAS CRUSHED BY A VEHICLE OR INCINERATED IN THE COURSE OF ARSON. THE BODIES OF ACCIDENT AND HOMICIDE VICTIMS ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE VARIOUS TECHNIQUES DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF INJURY. MEDICOLEGAL IMPLICATIONS ARE STRESSED. (KBL)