A Pilot Study on the Diagnosis of Fatal Electrocution by the Detection of Myocardial Microhemorrhages. Issue 3 (10th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gentile, Guendalina; Andreola, Salvatore; Bailo, Paolo; Boracchi, Michele; Fociani, Paolo; Piccinini, Andrea; Zoja, Riccardo
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 65:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 840
• Page End: 845
• Publication Date: 2019-12-10
• Subjects: forensic pathology -- forensic science -- electrocution high voltage -- electrocution low voltage -- heart -- interstitial cardiac hemorrhage; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: In electrocutions, death may be caused by alterations in the heart conduction system provoking ventricular fibrillation. This study aims to identify histological cardiac markers of high‐ and low‐voltage electrocution. Two groups of decedents were evaluated: group A included 14 fatalities caused by high‐ or low‐voltage electrocution and group B (control) included 14 fatalities due to other traumatic or disease causes. Myocardial sampling with microscopic examination was performed on all the hearts using the hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains to investigate morphological characteristics that could indicate the damage caused by high‐ and low‐voltage electrocutions. Interstitial myocardial hemorrhagic infiltration was the only differentiating finding, which was shown only in high‐voltage electrocution. This pathological finding has not been previously reported, and it may be specific to high‐voltage electrocution deaths. Further studies are warranted.