Citation

Dermengiu D, Dermengiu S. Rom. J. Leg. Med. 1996; 4(3): 219-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Romanian Legal Medicine Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We have reviewed 28 cases of electrocution (1% of all violent deaths autopsied in 1995 at the National Institute of Legal Medicine 'Mina Minovici'). In what concerns the circumstances of occurrence they were: home accidents (60%), work accidents (25%), suicides (3.57%), no homicides or lightning electrocutions were registered. Male victims represent 82% of all cases. Average age of victims was 26, average age in males 25.8, in females 26.2 years. The greatest incidence was registered in the age groups 11-20 and 41-50 years (together 67% of all cases). In 78.5% of cases, the external examination revealed the presence of the classic electric mark, in the rest burns of various degrees, fulgurides (1 case of 7000 V electrocution - voltaic arc), and skin parching were observed. In 71% multiple electric skin injuries were present: 71% on the upper limb, 14.3% head, 8.5% thorax, 5.7% lower limb. Dimensions of skin injuries ranged from 0.3/0.2 cm to 10/8 cm (48% smaller than 1 cm2), 20% between 1-5 cm2). The internal examination revealed in 11 cases no pathologic changes, in 3 cases cerebral edema, in 2 cases gastric content aspirate, in 3 cases visceral blood pooling, in 3 cases asphyxia subpleural petechiae, in 6 cases blood pooling + asphyxia petechiae (blood pooling + asphyxia petechiae + acute myocardial dilatation in one 18-year-old male). In only 32% was alcohol present (average 0.81 mg/dL).

Language: romanian

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; incidence; autopsy; death; article; clinical article; electrocution; skin injury; skin injuries