Citation

Mathew D, Jadav D, Munisankar P, Meshram VP, Kumawat R, Elhence P. J. Forensic Sci. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.15446

PMID

38066716

Abstract

Electrocution deaths are mostly accidental. However, reconstruction of events in unusual electrocution death is challenging. This article reports an accidental death due to electrocution in a highly unusual circumstance, in which a truck driver reversing his vehicle was electrocuted when his truck inadvertently touched an overhead high-voltage wire. The electric injury marks were present over the sole of the right foot. The scene investigation revealed that the high-voltage wire was loose and was below the level of the prescribed height. The truck was passing over an elevated area made up of dirt and stone. The interior of the cabin of the truck revealed a few non-insulated metallic areas over the floor of the truck, between the accelerator and the brake, which were attributed as the sources of entry of electricity into the body. The electric injury marks were different than those usually seen in high-voltage electrocution as there was an intermediate object (truck) involved, and the contact period between the truck and the electric wire was minimal. This fatality was attributed to the non-proper insulation of the interior of the truck, the negligent driving of the truck driver over the elevated surface, and the loose high-voltage wire without proper maintenance.

Language: en

Keywords

autopsy; forensic pathology; accidental electrocution; high-voltage electrocution; overhead electric wire; vehicle occupant electrocution