ELECTROCUTION DEATHS: MEDICO-LEGAL IMPLICATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES ON A STANDARDIZED PROTOCOL
M. Enache, H. Jung, L. Chinezu, T. Hogea, C. Carasca, L. Croitorescu, D. Biris, V. Rauta, P. Adi, O. Ungur, D. P. Dumbrava, C. Radu
Abstract: Introduction. Electrocution deaths represent a significant medico-legal challenge due to the variability of lesions and the difficulty in identifying a single and constant thanatogenic mechanism. The present paper combines a review of the specialized literature with a series of selected cases from the archives of the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IML) Târgu Mureș.
Material and Methods. The study integrates data from international literature published between 1899 and 2023, correlated with a series of autopsy cases from the archive of the Institute of Forensic Medicine Târgu Mureș. Evaluated characteristics included cutaneous lesions (electrical marks, metallization), histopathological changes (epidermal and muscular aspects), biochemical markers (creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, troponin), and physical parameters (voltage, current intensity, frequency).
Results. The analyzed cases revealed significant variability in lesions, ranging from the presence of pathognomonic electrical marks to their complete absence, depending on the specific circumstances of each incident. Distinctive histopathological changes (“nuclear palisades”, spiraled muscle fibers) as well as nonspecific alterations were also observed. Ventricular fibrillation remains the principal thanatogenic mechanism; however, other mechanisms of death are also documented.
Conclusions. Electrocution involves two main thanatogenic mechanisms: cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory tetanization. The medico-legal diagnosis of electrocution is based on the identification of characteristic electrical marks, suggestive histopathological changes, and relevant biochemical markers, supported by complementary investigations in atypical cases. We emphasize the necessity of developing a standardized medico-legal protocol that rigorously integrates all these components to ensure a more accurate and reproducible diagnosis. Keywords: electrocution, electrical marks, thanatogenesis, histopathological diagnosis, ventricular fibrillation, tetanization of the thoracic muscles, asphyxiating petechiae, electromagnetic induction.
 Târgu Mureș.
<br /> Material and Methods. The study integrates data from international literature published between 1899 and 2023, correlated with a series of autopsy cases from the archive of the Institute of Forensic Medicine Târgu Mureș. Evaluated characteristics included cutaneous lesions (electrical marks, metallization), histopathological changes (epidermal and muscular aspects), biochemical markers (creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, troponin), and physical parameters (voltage, current intensity, frequency).
<br /> Results. The analyzed cases revealed significant variability in lesions, ranging from the presence of pathognomonic electrical marks to their complete absence, depending on the specific circumstances of each incident. Distinctive histopathological changes (“nuclear palisades”, spiraled muscle fibers) as well as nonspecific alterations were also observed. Ventricular fibrillation remains the principal thanatogenic mechanism; however, other mechanisms of death are also documented.
<br /> Conclusions. Electrocution involves two main thanatogenic mechanisms: cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory tetanization. The medico-legal diagnosis of electrocution is based on the identification of characteristic electrical marks, suggestive histopathological changes, and relevant biochemical markers, supported by complementary investigations in atypical cases. We emphasize the necessity of developing a standardized medico-legal protocol that rigorously integrates all these components to ensure a more accurate and reproducible diagnosis.&redirect_uri=http://rjlm.ro/index.php/arhiv/1042)