Citation

Raniero D, Uberti A, Del Balzo G, Vermiglio E, Farinelli A, Turrina S, De Leo D. Leg. Med. (Elsevier) 2022; 56: e102028.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Japanese Society of Legal Medicine, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102028

PMID

35124324

Abstract

Lichtenberg figures are pathognomonic markings commonly described as transient pink-red fractal pattern marks on the skin of people struck by a lightning. Their nature and the underlying physiopathology are still largely unknown. Here we describe a Lichtenberg figure in a 45-year-old woman who died due to a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. On autopsy, five days after the fatal event, she presented atypical green Lichtenberg figures on the skin of her abdomen. This appearance has not previously been described in the scientific literature, so a review of literature was done to support our observation.

Language: en

Keywords

Electrical marks; Forensic pathology; Keraunopathology; Lichtenberg figures; Lightning; Natural electrical energy