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Can a postmortem skin biopsy predict cause of death?
Deepti Sukheeja1, Janani Shanmugam2, Arulselvi Subramanian1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Journal of Laboratory Physicians
|April 5, 2014
Summary
Electrocution is a significant workplace hazard often underestimated due to familiarity with electricity. Histopathology of skin lesions can confirm electrocution as the cause of death, even without obvious external signs.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Occupational Health and Safety
Background:
- Electrocution remains a leading cause of workplace fatalities, often linked to inadequate recognition of electrical hazards and insufficient safety training.
- The pervasive use of electricity in daily life can lead to complacency regarding its inherent dangers.
- Fatalities from electrocution may not always present with visible external injuries, complicating death investigations.
Observation:
- A case involving a plumber who died unexpectedly was examined.
- Autopsy revealed electrical marks on the deceased's palm, initially suspected as the cause of death.
- Skin biopsy was performed to investigate the cause of death.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination of the skin lesion definitively confirmed electrocution as the cause of death.
- Microscopic findings provided crucial evidence in a case where external signs were ambiguous.
Implications:
- Histopathology is a valuable diagnostic tool in forensic investigations of suspected electrocution deaths.
- Highlighting the importance of histopathological analysis can aid in determining the cause of death in unexplained cases.
- This case underscores the critical need for enhanced electrical safety training and awareness in the workplace.
