25. Histological characteristics of the skin in forensic electrical injury
Main Article Content
Abstract
Electricity deaths are quite common in forensic fields. The effect of electric current can be seen in the heart and organs however the changes in the skin are the most important sign to detect the etiology from the electrical source, especially when there is no specific sign of electrical injuries on the body. We investigated the skin histopathological characteristics of 32 cases of electricity deaths by forensic examination at the Military Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hanoi Medical University. Results: average age was 35.7 ± 12.8; male/female ratio was 15/1; 90.6% due to low voltage electricity; 100% had electricity entry wounds, 56.2% had exit wounds; 87.5% of cases had intraepidermal and subepidermal separation; 78.1% had bullae formation; 65.6% nucleus of basal cells and the spiny layer was elongated; the average long-axis/short-axis ratio of the nucleus was 3.9 ± 1.8; 43.8% of collagen fibers formed clumps and knots; 81.3% of blood vessel damage; 75% changed on glands of the skin. The results were the important scientific basis for the forensic diagnosis of death from electrical.
Article Details
Keywords
Electrocution death, electric injury, histopathology of skin
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