LAUSR

The tracheal mucosa is covered by dark brown to black material that microscopically corresponds with intraluminal carbon (soot) lining the cilia of the apical surface of the tracheal epithelium (Figure 2), indicating the dog was alive at the time of the fire. Smoke inhalation leads to death through direct thermal injury, chemical damage and irritation, or carbon monoxide intoxication. The absence of mucosal necrosis and inflammation suggests that the dog died of carbon monoxide intoxication and did not suffer thermal injury or chemical irritation. None of the incorrect foils result in the rough texture of the tracheal mucosa imparted by soot deposition.