Analysis of forensic autopsies of elevator accidents: causes and prevention measures

Elevator accidents are rare but can cause catastrophic damage, and an analysis of the causes of accidents and preventive measures is necessary. This study analyzed seven deaths from six autopsy cases of accidental elevator deaths that were inspected at a single forensic institution. Four cases occurred during industrial use of the elevator. Two cases occurred during elevator inspection. One case occurred in a home elevator. Three cases were because of human causes and three were owing to mechanical causes of the elevators. All fatalities were caused by severe head or thoracoabdominal injuries and the victims were pronounced dead at the scene or upon hospital arrival. Here, the analysis results indicate that measures are needed to prevent accidents in industrial elevators, elevators undergoing inspections, and home elevators.