Electrocution Stigmas in Organ Damage: The Pathological Marks

Diagnostics

Pasquale Mascolo¹  BrunoDella Pietra¹  Pierluca Zangani¹  CarloPietro Campobasso¹  Gelsomina Mansueto²  Anna Carfora³  Mario Di Napoli⁴ 

[1] Clinical Department of Laboratory Services and Public Health—Legal Medicine Unit, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, Italy;Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;Department of Experimental Medicine Legal Medicine Unit, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luciano Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, Italy;Neurological Service, SS Annunziata Hospital, Viale Mazzini 100, 67039 L’Aquila, Italy;

关键词: autopsy;    histology;    electrocution;    heart;    brain;    lung;   

DOI  :  10.3390/diagnostics11040682

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: Diagnostic criteria for electrocution related death are still a challenge in forensic pathology and it seems that the electrical mark is the only reliable evidence. Methods: A comparison of histological and morphological findings of skin and internal organs from an autopsy series of electrocution deaths with those mostly reported in literature as representative for electrocution. Results: The morphological changes of heart, brain and other main internal organs are still unspecific. Organ’s damage observed in electrocution deaths shows a wide variability, not reliable for a certain diagnosis of electrocution. The electrical mark is still the golden standard for diagnosis of electrocution. Conclusions: In electrocution related deaths, pathological findings of the main internal organs are not enough evidence to support with certainty a post-mortem diagnosis that a victim suffered an electrical damage. Although the organ histological changes are undoubtedly the starting point for a better understanding of the fatal even, the diagnosis of death from electrical damage is still a dark and unsolved chapter. The electrical mark still represents a fundamental indicator above all in the medical-legal field, but the identification of pathognomonic elements and signs not limited to the skin alone could be a valid help in the future, especially in unclear cases.

【 授权许可】

Unknown