EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY AND LIGHTNING ON MAN AND ANIMALS

• NCJ Number: 12087
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1973) Pages: 3-11
• Author(s): T BERNSTEIN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article

Annotation

STATISTICS ON DEATHS DUE TO ELECTRICAL CURRENT AND LIGHTNING AND A DISCUSSION OF THE BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF LETHAL DOSES OF ELECTRICITY.

Abstract

THE FACT THAT A DEATH IS CAUSED BY ELECTRICITY OR LIGHTNING CAN BE DIFFICULT TO VERIFY IN SOME CASES. WITHOUT ANY CHARACTERISTIC PATHOLOGICAL FINDING, IT IS NECESSARY TO EVALUATE THE ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS INVOLVED TO AID IN ASCERTAINING THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH. IN HIGHER VOLTAGE AND CURRENT ACCIDENTS, THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS OFTEN OBVIOUS BECAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL BURNS. AT LOWER VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS, DEATH IS OFTEN A RESULT OF VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION. THIS FIBRILLATION CAN BE CAUSED BY CURRENTS THROUGH THE CHEST AS LOW AS 100 MA AT 60 HZ OR BY IMPULSE SHOCKS WITH ENERGY CONTENT OF 10 TO 50 WATT-SECONDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)