Electrical injuries

• Most dangerous pattern is entry through arm, through the heart, and then out a grounded leg

• Extent of injury is proportional to the amount of current

• Low voltage deaths (100 – 1000 V)

  • ~ 60% of deaths are from low voltage (115 – 120 V devices)

  • Death from v-fib

  • DC safer but more expensive

  • Autopsy findings may be entirely (-) or there may be superficial burns

• High voltage deaths (> 1000 V)

  • Major threat is cardiac standstill

  • Burns are present in 94% of deaths

  • Autopsy findings

    • Skin

      • Burns

      • Microscopic changes

        • Collagen changes

        • Microblister formation

        • Palisading of nuclei of dermal cells

    • May have fractures

    • Brain may be coagulated

    • Clothing may be torn or burned

  • Lightening strikes

    • About 40% of people struck by lightening die immediately or later from injuries

    • Only specific autopsy finding is a fern-like redness on chest, shoulders, or back

Category: Forensic Medicine Notes , Medical Subject Notes