[Scanning electron microscopic observation of erythrocytes and endothelial cells of electrified death rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To identify electrified death of animals without electric marks.


METHODS
Two animal models (model A and model B) of electrified death without electric marks were established. Model A: right anterior limb and left hind limb of rabbits were soddened by 0.1 mol/L PBS, and two pieces of wet gause which were soaked in the 0.1 mol/L PBS were winded on the right anterior limb and left hind limb of them, respectively, and then two nake wires were winded outside of the gause; then, the two wires were connected to the alternating current of 220 voltage (A1 group) or 110 voltage (AZ group) electrified. Model B: two nake wires were fixed at the bilaterals of an oblong container, then a small quantities water were infunded into it, about 1.5 cm deep, and then, one rabbit was put in each time; finally, the two wires were connected to the alternating current of 220 voltage (B1 group) or 110 voltage (B2 group) electrified. The erythrocytes and endothelium of aorta and pulmonary artery of the animals were observed under scanning electron microscopes.


RESULTS
Pores were found on the surface of the erythrocytes and endothelial cells of aorta and pulmonary artery of the electrified animals, which was absent in the control animals. The erythrocytes had the greatest perforated cell index among the three cells, followed by the pulmonary endothelium.


CONCLUSIONS
The perforation phenomena can serve as an evidence of electrified death when no electric mark is observable.
Wang
Ye
Y
Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. wangyh11@163.com
Liu
Min
M
Li
Fan
F
Peng
Xue-mei
XM
Zhang
Kui
K
Peng
Qi-yi
QY
Liao
Zhi-gang
ZG
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits