A Post-Mortem Study on Deaths due to Electrocution among Autopsies Conducted at Mortuary, RIMS Raichur-A Retrospective Study Karaddi Sharnabasavappa. S.1, Gopinath M.2,*, Abhinandana R.3, Suraj4 1Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Navodaya Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Raichur, Karnataka 3Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Devaraj Urs Medical College-Tamaka, Kolar 4Final Year Post Graduate, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka *Corresponding Author: Dr. Gopinath. M, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Navodaya Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Raichur, Karnataka-584103 Email- drgopinath29@gmail.com, Contact - 7022322005
Online published on 27 November, 2019. Abstract Background The study has been carried out to find out the pattern of deaths due to electrocution among autopsies conducted at mortuary, RIMS, Raichur. Materials and Method In this study, medico-legal reports of electrocution cases brought for autopsy during June 2015 to May 2016 at our centre were analysed retrospectively, with an intension to get information about the occurrence of the incident, demographic profile and post-mortem examination findings. The data collected were entered into MS-Excel spread sheets and analysis was carried out. Results Out of 504 cases autopsied during study period, 14 cases (2.78%) were electrocution deaths. Number of male victims was more compared to females. The highest number of cases was observed in the age group of 20–29 years. Most of the victims were electrocuted outdoor (57.14%) followed by work place (42. 55%). The most common causative agent was the live electrical wire (57.14%). Most of the cases (85.71%) death occurred on the spot and all the electrocution deaths in the present study were accidental in nature. Conclusion The majority of the electrocution deaths are accidental in nature and can be preventable by endorsing simple safety precautions at work place and home, and by giving health education Top Keywords Accidental, Electrocution, suicidal, Electrical wire. Top |