Citation

Sundaragiri S, Kumaran M S, Janarthanan V, Mittal C, S GPD. Cureus 2024; 16(2): e53808.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Curēus)

DOI

10.7759/cureus.53808

PMID

38465026

PMCID

PMC10924147

Abstract

Electrical injuries due to high voltage are not frequent but can cause a high mortality rate. The body of a 45-year-old security guard was found at an apartment with an alleged history of being electrocuted while working when he came into contact with a high-voltage transformer. The police brought the body for a post-mortem examination. The autopsy revealed superficial to deep-degree burns with bilateral lower limb amputation. The cause of death was shock due to 80%-85% of the total body surface area being burned due to high-voltage electrocution. This article suggests a new mechanism, i.e., electrocution-induced amputation, called electro-amputation, which is unusual and not reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge. The authors also recommend a forensic surgeon should consider detailed circumstantial findings, a scene of crime visit, and a meticulous post-mortem examination before concluding the exact cause of death as high-voltage electrocution.

Language: en

Keywords

bilateral lower limb amputation; electrical burns; electrical injury; high-voltage electrocution; work-related death