Two Cases of Suicidal Electrocution

Bligh-Glover, William; Miller, Frank P.; Balraj, Elizabeth

doi:10.1097/01.paf.0000136442.17344.b5

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The cases of SE are very rare (3) and are usually described as incidental or casuistical (3–7). Our previous studies (8,9) revealed an average incidence of 0.09 per 100,000 population per year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Characteristics of Suicide by Electrocution in Bulgaria

Dokov

2009

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Suicides by electrocution (SE) are relatively rare and insufficiently studied. The purpose of this study is to present a more detailed picture of SE in Bulgaria. Forensic medical files of 59 SE cases were examined. SPSS 11.0 software was applied to produce the descriptive statistical analyses. Values of p < 0.05 were assumed to be statistically significant. We studied 59 SE cases, which account for 6.24% of all deaths by electrocution and 0.09% of all forensic autopsies. The average age of victims was 45.19 years old. Males prevailed: 91.53%. Children below 18 years old accounted for 3.39%. 42.37% of the victims applied low voltage (<220 V), and 33.99% applied high voltage (>220 V). The preferred method of SE was by direct contact victim/electrical cable: 47.45%. The summer months June through September account for 49.15% of all cases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Characteristics of Suicide by Electrocution in Bulgaria

Dokov

2009

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Electrocutiontorture cases are also rare. Carelessness, misuse or improper maintenance of electrical equipment represent the chief reasons for non-intentional, electrocution worldwide [11][12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A retrospective descriptive study of electrocution deaths in Gauteng, South Africa: 2001–2004

Blumenthal¹

2009

Burns

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“…Air embolism has not been described as a mechanism of death in electricity-related deaths [6][7][8]15]. Death from electrocution is usually instantaneous at the time of exposure to the electrical source, due to arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation), though there are a few reported cases resulting in late deaths associated with electrocution [15,16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The underlying electrophysiological mechanism is disruption of the endogenous electrical polarity of the victim's cells by the exogenous current, causing them to malfunction or cease functioning altogether. These changes ultimately lead to hypoxia and death [6]. In this article, we report an electricity-related death associated with an unusual consequence, air embolism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Electrical injury of the neck and cardiac air embolism: a novel mechanism of death

Kitulwatte

Pollanen

2008

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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We report a case of air embolism in an industrial worker complicating a deep electrical injury in the neck. He was found dead in an upright position while his chest and head were resting on top of a live transformer. At autopsy, there were multiple electrical burns involving the face, neck, chest, and arms. There was a deep electrical burn associated with hemorrhage in the neck involving the skin, underlying subcutaneous tissue, strap muscles, and the thyroid gland. The internal examination showed a prominently bulging right atrium, which was filled with air and not blood. At autopsy, when the pericardium was filled with water and the right atrium opened, a large number of bubbles emerged. We concluded that death was due to air embolism complicating electrical damage to the neck veins. This case illustrates that acute complications of electrical burns rather than electrocution-related cardiac arrhythmia can be the mechanism of death in rare electricity-related deaths. It also reveals the difficulties encountered by the pathologist in determining the exact mechanism of death when there are competing mechanisms.

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Two Cases of Suicidal Electrocution

Abstract: Two cases of suicidal electrocution are presented: one using a household lamp, the other using a homemade electrocution machine. The mechanisms of death and the histologic changes in electrocution are discussed.

Cited by 21 publications

References 5 publications

Forensic Characteristics of Suicide by Electrocution in Bulgaria

Forensic Characteristics of Suicide by Electrocution in Bulgaria

A retrospective descriptive study of electrocution deaths in Gauteng, South Africa: 2001–2004

Electrical injury of the neck and cardiac air embolism: a novel mechanism of death

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