title: Findings for current marks: histopathological examination and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of three cases.
abstract: We describe herein three cases of electrocution. As most deaths caused by electricity are due to cardiac arrhythmia or paralysis of the respiratory muscles, autopsy findings in electrocution cases are generally non-specific, with the exception of the presence of current marks. We detected metallization by histological examination and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis in tissues of typical or atypical current marks. In addition, myofiber break-up was observed in one case. One patient was hospitalized before death and revealed patchy contraction band necrosis, along with infiltration of leucocytes and vacuolation in the diaphragm. The presence of current marks is the hallmark for forensic diagnosis of electrocution. Although specific findings are lacking at autopsy in cases of electrocution, detailed histological examination and EDX analysis provide useful information for forensic diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan. ntanaka@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Mostofa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumihashi
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutsui
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ameno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D002423:Cause of Death; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron
keywords: Current marks; Electrocution; Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX); Histological findings