Evaluation of deaths that occur after electrocution between 2006-2015 years in Antalya

The electric energy is used in a rapidly increasing proportion from the middle of last century. As a result, injuries and deaths due to electrocution are also observed. Especially in developing countries where necessary safety precautions are not taken, electrocution is a significant problem because of socioeconomic impacts, developing complications, high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, it is aimed to obtain data about the deaths from the electrocution, to compare with previous studies, to draw the attention to important issues in the forensic medical aspects and methods of protection from electrocution. In our study, consecutive 6212 cases which were autopsied in the Mortuary Department of Antalya Branch of the Forensic Medicine Council between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015 were examined. We detected 109 cases who died after an electrocution. Demografic features were analyzed such as age, sex, job, nationality and also year, season, month, manner and mechanism of death, crime scene, location and properties of electrical lesions on the body, autopsy findings, toxicological analysis results, presence of falling from high or other traumatic symptoms, whether hospitalized or not, type and voltage of the exposed current were analyzed. There were 109 cases; 103 (94.5%) of the cases were male while 6 (5.5%) were female. The youngest of the cases was 2 years old and the eldest was 69 and the mean age was 29.7. Fourteen (12.8%) cases were in the age range of 0-18 years. The cases (n=46, 42.2%) were mostly in the age range of 20-29 years. In our study the deaths due to electrocution were observed mostly in July (n=24, %22), followed by September (n=20, %18.3) and August (n=19, %17.4) respectively. The manner of death was accident in 103 (%94.5) of the cases. In 6 (%5.5) cases the manner of death could not be determined. There were no murders or suicides in our cases. In 76 (69.7%) of our cases, the manner of the electrocution was the work accident. In 4 (66.6%) of the female cases, it was found that the manner of death was home accident. There was no work accident in female cases. It was determined that 24 (22%) of the cases were electrical workers and 43 (39.4%) were workers in non-electrical business lines. Eighty-one (74.4%) of our cases were exposed to low voltage electrical current while 14 (12.8%) were exposed to high voltage. In 14 (12.8%) of our cases, there was no information about the voltage in the judicial investigation. In our study, 106 (97.2%) of the electrocution cases had a skin lesion that could be formed by electric current. Three (2.8%) of our cases didn't have any lesions on the skin. In 51 (46.8%) of the cases, there were 5 or more lesions of electric current on the skin. Electrical current lesions were mostly common on the upper extremities in 91 (83.5%) cases. When the mechanisms of death are examined; 87 (79.9%) deaths were most likely caused by respiratory and circulatory failure (arrhythmia, respiratory muscle spasms, pulmonary edema etc.) Ethanol was not detected in the blood of 102 (93.7%) cases. In 5 (%4.5) cases, blood ethyl alcohol test was positive, in 2 of these cases, blood ethyl alcohol level was found between 150-199 mg/dl. In 107 (%98.1) of our cases, hypnotic – sedative drug analysis was performed. Hypnotic – sedative drugs were detected in only 2 (%1.8) of them. For 37 (33.9%) of the cases technical expert opinion about the scene were received and a report was requested by public attorney. Only 23 (21.1%) of the technical expert reports have been sent to the autopsy team. According to these 23 technical expert reports; in 12 (52%) of the cases, electrocution results from electrical leakage. It has been determined that these caused by leak electrical appliances and machines, lack of insulation in electrical cables, broken plugs and sockets. In the remaining 11 (48%) cases, electrocution was related with personal factors such as carelessness, negligence and imprudence. A careful and detailed investigation of the incident should be carried out in all cases of death in suspected electrocution. Technical expert opinion should be requested. Attention should be paid to the lesions of the electric current entry and exit marks by performing a detailed postmortem examination. All of electrocution deaths should be autopsied. All suspicious lesions should be taken for histopathologic examination. The majority of electrocution cases are preventable events. For this reason, it is necessary to raise the awareness of the community especially the risk groups about dangers of electricity and official inspections should be made in order to meet modern standards on the distribution and use of electric energy and occupational safety. Key Words: Electrocution, autopsy, forensic medicine.