Citation

Lucas J. Ulster Med. J. 2009; 78(1): 37-42.

Affiliation

Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, The Queen's University of Belfast Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BS. United Kingdom. jwlucas_med@hotmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Ulster Medical Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19252729

PMCID

PMC2629019

Abstract

A review of autopsy reports in cases of electrocution in Northern Ireland revealed that there were 50 accidental electrocutions and 9 suicidal electrocutions over a 22 year period (1982 - 2003). No cases of homicidal electrocution were detected in this jurisdiction. Analysis of the cohort of accidental electrocutions showed that there was a clear skew towards young and middle-aged male adults with deaths occurring more frequently in the summer months. Almost 60% of individuals were engaged in occupational tasks when they were accidentally electrocuted. High and low voltage-related deaths occurred with similar frequency and electrical appliances were found to be responsible for approximately one third of accidental electrocutions. The potential hazards of electricity must continue to be stressed in public safety campaigns if these relatively uncommon but tragic deaths are to be prevented.

Language: en