Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue: 4

Manner of death in electrocution: A case series

  • Author:
  • R Kaushik1, SK Dhattarwal2, V Verma1, P Singh1,*, P Kumar1, S Kumar1, A Parkash1, A Tyagi1
  • Total Page Count: 3
  • Page Number: 408 to 410

1Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Pt. B. D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak

2Senior Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Pt. B. D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak

*Corresponding Author, Dr. Priti Singh, Email: pritisangwan95@gmail.com, Mobile No.: +91 9728609176

Online Published on 2 January, 2024.

Abstract

Electrocution is defined as death caused by the passage of current through the body. The cause of death in a case of electrocution are many depending on the organ system it affects like nervous system, cardiovascular system and thermal injury to the body. However, when it comes to decide the manner of death, the type, pattern and distribution of injury over the body along with the circumstantial evidences collected helps in designating the manner of death as suicidal, homicidal or accidental. The authors discussed here three cases of electrocution with three different manners of death. The type of burns sustained over the body and the area affected are related with the manner of death in tabulated form. Most of the electric injuries sustained at home, are accidental in manner. However, suicidal cases by the electrical injuries are not uncommon but rarely homicidal.

Keywords

Electrocution, Suicide, Flash burn, Charred, Manner of death