Manner of Death in Electrocution: A Case Series

Abstract

Electrocution is defined as death caused by the passage of current through the body. The cause of death in a case of electrocution are many  depending on the organ system it affects like nervous system, cardiovascular system and thermal injury to the body. However, when it  comes to decide the manner of death, the type, pattern and distribution of injury over the body along with the circumstantial evidences  collected helps in designating the manner of death as suicidal, homicidal or accidental. The authors discussed here three cases of  electrocution with three different manners of death. The type of burns sustained over the body and the area affected are related with the  manner of death in tabulated form. Most of the electric injuries sustained at home, are accidental in manner. However, suicidal cases by the  electrical injuries are not uncommon but rarely homicidal.