Keywords
Electric Shock
Electrocution
Electrical Burns
Forensic Medicine
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: Electrical injuries represent a significant medico-legal problem, as exposure to electric current can lead to a wide spectrum of injuries depending on voltage level and exposure conditions. This study aims to evaluate electrical injuries within a forensic medical framework—specifically in terms of life-threatening condition, amenability to treatment by simple medical intervention, and the presence of fractures and internal organ damage—as well as in relation to associated risk factors.
Methods: A total of 123 cases identified as electrical injuries and reported as forensic cases in a secondary-level state hospital between 2023 and 2025 were analysed with respect to demographic characteristics, timing/location/origin of the injury, voltage type, source of contact, clinical findings, associated trauma, treatment, and medico-legal outcomes.
Results: Of the cases, 70.7% were male, with a mean age of 26.9±16.3 years. Injuries most frequently occurred in individuals aged 19–29 years, on weekdays, and between 08:00 and 16:00 hours, predominantly in domestic and indoor environments. Low-voltage exposure accounted for 87.8% of cases, whereas 12.2% involved high-voltage exposure. All cases were of accidental origin (56.1% occupational accidents; 41.5% domestic accidents). High-voltage exposure was significantly associated with the presence of entry/exit lesions, multitraumatic injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, and medico-legal outcomes including life-threatening condition and non-amenability to treatment by simple medical intervention (p<0.05–0.001).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the voltage level of electrical exposure is a key prognostic and medico-legal determinant in electrical injuries. In low-voltage cases, case-specific evaluation based on clinical findings and standardized documentation are of critical importance.
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