Citation

Kumicikova I, Rybarova V, Straka L, Janik M, Novomesky F, Krajcovic J. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2023; 17(1): 36-40.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18890

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Most common electricity-related deaths in forensic practice are associated with accidents in domestic or industrialenvironment. Despite the fact that electricity is a readily available suicidal mean in developed countries, suicidesby electrocution are relatively rare. Mostly suppose in individuals working in the electrotechnical industry or athome by "handymen". An autopsy findings are usually uncharacteristic, accompanied by pulmonary edema,fluid blood, organ congestion (suffocation signs). The passage of electric current through the body is confirmed byspecific finding so-called current signs. In many cases, current marks are small, easily overlooked or unrecognizable,which significantly complicates the diagnosis and determination of the cause of death by a forensic pathologist.In some cases, it´s possible to determine the suicidal electrocution only by the investigated circumstances or incooperation with an expert in the field of electrical engineering. Authors warn of the potential risk that a personmay be part of an active electrical circuit at the time of the finding. Knowledge of the victim's psychiatric and socialhistory is an equally important part. The authors present the case of an 82-year-old man who, in a suicidal manner,constructed a suicide electric circuit in a social services home.

Language: en

Keywords

crime scene investigation; electric current; electricity; electrocution; suicide