Citation

Guntheti BK, Ul Mohsin Z, Singh UP. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2015; 9(1): 107-111.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.5958/0973-9130.2015.00026.2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Lightning strikes killed many people throughout world, especially in tropical countries, yet their effects are capricious, unpredictable in rainy season, that they demand recognition of by a medico legal expert. The death to no signs to be expected in connection with bizarre presentations of victims, torn clothing further arouse suspicions of foul play and sometime person at a considerable distance from the spot lightning, is killed with no marks of injury due to 'return shock'. Thirty Eight victims of lightning fatalities were identified from emergency dept. of MGH, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, for a period of 3 years Males are the most common victims when working in the open field afternoon with peak incidence in June to September. Lightening victims found different types of burns over body which are unique arborescent burns injuries, linear and surface burns injuries with singed hairs, torn clothes. Magnetization of the metal worn noted. Study of pattern of injuries due to lightning reveals occupation, factors are indirectly related to such deaths. High incidence of lightning strikes in the region and calls for a more systemic and detailed investigative protocol in lightning related deaths. Rapid death occurs due to anoxia, respiratory paralysis and preventable by precautionary measures.

Language: en