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Scheme for Investigating Cases of Death due to Electrocution
Published in Paul T. Jayaprakash, Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction, 2023
In deaths due to electrocution, the entry and exit wounds are seen as being burns on the skin and may range from pinpoint to large and can be missed. When the body parts are in contact with the ground, the exit wounds may not be large and apparent. However, the presence of entry wounds in body parts which are in contact with the electrical wires or with other objects that conduct electricity would offer sufficient evidence indicating electrocution. The entry wounds usually present with a central area of charring surrounded by a gray–white zone of necrosis (Shkrum and Ramsay, 2007). Metal contacts that act as conductors of electricity to the body parts leave evidence on the skin in the form of metallic deposits (e.g., copper, iron) on skin surfaces that are burned. The related metal objects may reveal charred skin residues sticking to them. Lightning is a natural cause of electrocution, and the injuries can vary depending on the nature of the strike.
Other Asphyxial Deaths
Published in Sudhir K. Gupta, Forensic Pathology of Asphyxial Deaths, 2022
The typical cause of death is asphyxia, caused accidentally by hanging, smothering, suffocation or drowning, etc., when the safety measures employed by the victim fails. Other possible causes of death could be stimulation of carotid sinus or vasovagal shock following the insertion of foreign object into vagina or anus. In atypical cases, deaths can also occur due to chest compression, inhalation of chemicals or electrocution, depending on the method employed. In electrocution cases, the act may actually cause death by precipitating cardiac dysrhythmias or chest wall paralysis due to low voltage electrocution.
The Medicolegal Autopsy
Published in Kevin L. Erskine, Erica J. Armstrong, Water-Related Death Investigation, 2021
Deaths due to electrical injury may or may not have outward signs. Low-voltage electrocution, such as that which may be encountered with handling of defective household appliances, will have evidence of skin injury only in approximately one-half of the cases. In these cases, a victim who was near or in contact with an electrical appliance, was heard to shout prior to collapse, and has no electrothermal injuries at the time of autopsy is highly suspicious for death due to low-voltage electrocution. The death of an individual known to be a good swimmer found submerged and unresponsive in a pool equipped with pool lights may be due to electrocution, and there will be no electrothermal injuries. Evaluation of the scene in this instance must include testing of the pool light casing and wiring and questioning of nearby swimmers about any tingling sensations while near any pool lights. High-voltage electrocutions (i.e., direct or indirect contact with power lines or lightning strike) will almost always manifest with thermal injuries, ranging from small crater-like burns to large areas of severe burns, sometimes with amputation of a limb. Crater-like burns with central charring and pale and red peripheral zones of discoloration may be noted on the extremities, such as the palms and soles, representing the entry or exit points of the current (Figure 7.41A). Shoes, gloves, jewelry, and clothing worn by the decedent may be burned, melted, or magnetized (Figure 7.41B).
Environmental risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case–control study in Canada and France
Published in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 2022
Marie Beaudin, François Salachas, Pierre-François Pradat, Nicolas Dupré
A history of previous electrocution was reported by 71 cases (17.6%) and 32 controls (8.5%), which yielded an adjusted OR of 1.79 (1.13–2.87; p = 0.01) when controlling additionally for head trauma. This association was mainly driven by patients with spinal-onset ALS, with an adjusted OR of 1.91 (1.19–3.12; p = 0.008). Previous neck trauma was reported by 25 cases (6.2%) and 21 controls (5.6%); there was no association between neck trauma and ALS with an adjusted OR of 0.99 (0.52–1.87; p = 0.96), also adjusted additionally for head trauma. There was no association with welding profession in men with an adjusted OR of 1.35 (0.72–2.60; p = 0.36). This analysis was performed only in men because there were no women having ever worked as a welder among ALS cases.
Safety climate assessment: a survey in an electric power distribution company
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2022
Moien Kiani, Mohsen Asgari, Faezeh Abbas Gohari, Zahra Rezvani
Since safety climate is essential in organizations and is a leading indicator for safety performance and preventing accidents [19,20], we investigate the relationship between safety climate with 11 dimensions and variables like age, work experience, work shift and educational level in a power distribution company in the west part of Iran. Although occupational accidents caused by electricity do not have a high percentage of total work-related accidents, they are remarkably fatal [21]. For instance, in the USA [22] and Taiwan [23], electrocution was the fifth and the second major cause of occupational deaths, respectively. Electrical work-related accidents have increased in recent years in Iran. The Social Security Organization (SSO) in Iran reported 363 accidents during 2 years (2012–2013) in the three main sectors of the electric energy industry, which are production, transmission and distribution of electric energy [24,25].
The Mindfulness-Based Phase-Oriented Trauma Therapy (MB-POTT): Hypnosis-informed mindfulness approach to trauma
Published in American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 2020
The transition to the second phase of MB-POTT was smooth as the client continued “exploring the ‘unknown’ Jigsaw pieces.” A new imagery surfaced during this phase. Mr. RB had several dreams of “walking in a fog and, suddenly, there was a flash of light.” He was unsure about its meaning. Eventually he realized that it meant “the possible electrocution” that could have killed him. This was highly disturbing to him, understandably, and I offered him in-session touch-and-return to avoid possible abreaction. He was instructed to “recall the dream and keep going back to the breath as usual.” During this process, I reminded him repeatedly that my voice was a safety anchor and that the images were “just images” and would “fade in and out” by returning to the breath continually. This touch-and-return session served as narrative exposure (Robjant & Fazel, 2010) and diminished his fear significantly.