Department of Forensic Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur.
With wide spread use of electricity at home and work place the amount of electrical related injuries are on the rise. The present study attempts to know distribution pattern of electrical injuries and Histo Pathological changes in skin with electrical contact mark and in internal organs.
Study was conducted on deaths due to electrocution brought to Victoria hospital mortuary during the period of two years. Specimen of skin with contact mark and internal organs like heart, kidney was sent for Histo Pathological examination. Data will be collected from police inquest and photographic evidence from scene of occurrence.
Total number of 61 cases was studied in two-year period. High voltage electrocution constituted 54% of cases. Low voltage electrocution constituted 46%. High voltage electrocution mainly presented as flash burns, while low voltage electrocution presented with contact mark. Typical Histo Pathological changes were seen in skin and heart specimen sent for examination. Histo Pathological changes in kidney were nonspecific.
Electric contact mark is diagnostic criteria for electrocution. Histo Pathological changes were used as supportive evidence in determining cause of death.
Main reasons for electrocution deaths were found to be human negligence, faulty electrical equipments and connections and lack of protective measures.
High voltage current, Low voltage current, Electric contact mark, Flash burns, Histo Pathological examination
