Electrically induced deposition of metal on the human skin

doi:10.1016/S0379-0738(97)00151-5

Forensic Science International

Volume 90, Issues 1–2, 10 November 1997, Pages 85-92

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(97)00151-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

The diagnosis of electrical lesions may be difficult. Forensic material consisting of 24 post-mortem skin samples from 11 fatalities due to electricity was examined with regard to the deposition of iron or copper on the skin. Metal deposition was demonstrated on the epidermis in eight cases. It is concluded that staining for iron and copper may improve the diagnostic sensitivity of electrical lesions.

Introduction

The diagnosis of fatal electrical injuries is usually based upon histological findings together with the history. It is difficult to distinguish between electrical injuries and heat exposure. A few studies during the last five decades have noticed deposition of iron [1]and copper 2, 3on the epidermis.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine whether such deposition may have a diagnostic value.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

During the period 1974–1994, 11 fatalities (EL.AU) due to electric shock were examined at the University Institute of Forensic Medicine in Odense, Denmark. All cases from the period with a visible current mark [4]and subsequent histology examination were included. The mean age was 38 and the range was 16–62. They were all males and previously without any known disease, except for one male with multiple sclerosis who committed suicide. Thirty-five skin samples were taken out for histology.

Results

Table 2 shows some of the examined parameters. Seven people died at work. Three were professional electricians, two were welders. There was also a carpenter and a local authority, manual worker. The nature of the electrodes was known in most cases. All with copper depositions had this metal in the electrode. With reference to iron, it was not possible in all cases to establish the metal content in the electrodes. There was no obvious association between the deposition and the duration of the

Discussion

An electricity lesion is not always easily recognisable. It may be small and variable in its appearance. It is typically a well demarcated lesion sometimes with a central pale area, usually with various degrees of burns and often a hyperaemic peripheral zone [4](Fig. 5).

As the composition of the fatal metal object in most cases was not known it was not possible to correlate the metal probe to the deposition. It is, however, likely that both the iron and the copper are derived from the metal

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Metallization is a characteristic sign of electrocution; therefore, it is an important finding for its diagnosis. Histological examination has been performed to detect skin metallization [4–6]. However, the detection rate of metallization by histological examination is not so high [6,7,17,18].
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Detection of current marks is an important finding for the diagnosis of electrocution [1,2], but they may not be recognizable by the naked eye in some cases [1,3–5]. Therefore, the diagnosis of fatal electrical injuries is usually based on histological findings, such as nuclear elongation and blister formation in the epidermis [1–7]. However, these findings are also observed in thermal injuries and are not specific to electrical injuries [1–7].
The findings of histological examination and the results of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis were compared to identify skin metallization in experimental electrical injury. Rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 5, each group): control, current exposure for five seconds, and current exposure for ten seconds. A relatively high peak of copper, which was used as an electrical conductor, was detected in formalin-fixed skin samples of the two current exposure groups by EDX. There was a significant increase of the specific X-ray intensity in the two current exposure groups compared to the control group. On histological examination, epidermal nuclear elongation was observed in all samples of the two current exposure groups. However, deposition of metal was observed in two samples of each current exposure group. Metallization is an important finding for the diagnosis of electrocution. The present results suggest that EDX analysis is useful for the proof of metallization in electrocution, even where it is not identified on morphological examination.
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Our attention has been placed on the phenomenon of metallization. In particular, we focused on using the Timm's method [1] to locate the copper deposits. The phenomenon of metallization, usually could be caused by the copper deposit, this happens due to the copper debris released onto the skin by the live conductor. To date, this technique has only been used in the pathological field. Nevertheless, we tried to assess its application in seven selected cases, after partially modifying the technique, comparing it with the most common staining detection techniques and analysing the specificity, sensitivity as well as the potential for its application in the routine.

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Electrically induced deposition of metal on the human skin

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Forensic Sci. Int.

Forensic Sci. Int.

Forensic Sci. Int.

The detection of copper in electric skin injuries

Acta Med. Legalis Socialis