Citation

Chauhan M, Sunil N, Behera C, Sreenivas M. Int. J. Med. Toxicol. Legal Med. 2019; 22(1/2): 42-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, India Medico Legal Society)

DOI

10.5958/0974-4614.2019.00011.1

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Domestic, work place or other situational electrocution may affect any age. Yearly nonlightening electrocution death toll being accidental yet preventable is glaring in developing and developed nations. Scant literature about demographic, environmental, circumstantial, medico-legal and tissue pathology related factors has constrained elucidation to promote safety measures and scientific brooding advocating policy guidelines preventing fatal electrocution. This study was done at centrally located tertiary care teaching and referral hospital in Delhi (India) with above issues in mind. It provided diverse array of substantial cases over considerable time duration lacking in earlier studies.

Aims & Objectives

To comprehend socio-demographic, medico-legal, electrocution injury related, circumstantial and seasonal factors in electrocution fatalities.

Materials & Methods

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electrocution fatalities autopsied at Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India during year 2001-11. Incident related information was clustered from relatives & authorities to interpret autopsy findings. Data was analyzed regarding sex, stratified age groups, manner, yearly pattern, seasonal variation, accident type, time of day, place of occurrence, survival and presence of entry and exit wounds on body, injury pattern, autopsy findings and cause of death.

Results

Almost all cases were accidental (99.5%) with exact time of incident unknown in majority (80%). Vocational fatalities (23%) were commonest. Dry surroundings (96%) prevailed in maximum cases with males (94%) outnumbering females (6%). Highest prevalence was seen in 21-30 years (39%). Yearly distribution saw highest incidence in 2010 (13%). Rainy seasons were months of maximum case concentration (45%). Specific entry and exit wounds were found in 60% and 23% cases respectively. Left palm and sole were commonest site for entry and exit wounds (17%) & (9%). Survival was less than 24 hours in (83%) cases. Electrocution was commonest cause of death as seen in (90.5%) cases.

Language: en