Citation

Blumenthal R, Jandrell IR, West NJ. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2012; 33(3): 222-226.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria; and †School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PAF.0b013e31822d319b

PMID

21952103

Abstract

Five mechanisms have been described in the literature regarding lightning injury mechanisms. A sixth mechanism is proposed in this article, namely, lightning barotrauma. A simple laboratory experiment was conducted using ordnance gelatin for ballistic studies. Lightning was simulated in a high-voltage laboratory using an 8/20-microsecond current impulse generator and discharged through ballistic gel. Temporary and permanent cavity formations were confirmed. The cavities formed were directly proportional to the currents used. Findings suggest that a sixth mechanism of lightning injury, namely, barotrauma, should be considered.

Language: en