Citation

Eriksson A, Ornehult L. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1988; 9(4): 295-300.

Affiliation

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Umeå, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3239547

Abstract

Deaths from lightning injuries are infrequent, amounting to 0.2-0.8 per million people per year, and are associated with climatologic conditions. The victims are mostly young, active people who are struck during various outdoor activities during the summer months. Even though many people can be struck by the same bolt of lightning, multiple casualties are uncommon. Among the fatalities, various types of skin burns are regularly present, often at an entry site on or near the head, and at an inferiorly located exit site. These skin injuries often consist of superficial burns and singed hair; deep burns and charring are uncommon. Arborescent skin marks seem to occur less frequently. Internal findings at autopsy are nonspecific.

Language: en