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Related Experiment Videos

Cardiac pathology in death from electrocution.

Vittorio Fineschi1, Steven B Karch, Stefano D'Errico

  • 1Institute of Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Foggia, Ospedali Riuniti, Via L. Pinto 1, 71100 Foggia, Italy. vfinesc@tin.it

International Journal of Legal Medicine
|August 4, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Myofibre break-up (MFB) is a distinct ante-mortem change observed in the heart. This study found MFB occurred in 90% of electrocution fatalities, suggesting it’s a specific indicator of electrocution.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Electrocution can cause significant cardiac damage.
  • Morphological changes in the heart following electrocution require further characterization.
  • Distinguishing electrocution-related cardiac changes from other causes of death is crucial for forensic investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the specific morphologic changes in the heart resulting from instantaneous electrocution.
  • To compare these changes with those found in hearts from individuals who died from other causes.
  • To determine if myofibre break-up (MFB) is a distinct ante-mortem indicator of electrocution.

Main Methods:

  • Histological examination of 16 myocardial samples per heart from 21 electrocution victims.

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  • Comparison with hearts from individuals who died from different causes.
  • Quantitative analysis and statistical evaluation of myocellular segmentation, intercalated disc changes, and myofibre break-up (MFB).

    • Main Results:

    • Myofibre break-up (MFB) was observed with maximal frequency (90%) in cases of electrocution.
    • MFB involves stretching and/or rupture of intercalated discs and associated changes in myocardial bundles and single myocells.
    • The observed MFB is considered an ante-mortem change.

    Conclusions:

    • Myofibre break-up (MFB) is a significant ante-mortem change.
    • MFB appears to be a distinct finding specifically associated with electrocution.
    • These findings can aid in the forensic determination of cause of death in suspected electrocution cases.