Necrotizing fasciitis: reports of three fatal cases simulating and resulting from assaults

Necrotizing fasciitis is a progressive, potentially fatal, rapid, necrotizing infection of the subcutaneous tissues and fascia often caused by a mixture of organisms or by infection with group A Streptococcus pyogenes with or without Staphylococcus aureus. Three cases are presented that have been encountered in forensic pathologic practice. Two cases presented after assaults, and the third simulated an assault and burglary. The history, scene, and pathologic findings are presented with a brief review of the literature.