Characteristics of lethal electrical injuries in central and northeastern Bulgaria for a 27-year period (1980-2006).

OBJECTIVE

Despite the advancement of forensic science, electro-traumas still pose serious challenges.

METHODS

We have studied the forensic medical documentation from 485 autopsies following electro-trauma over the period 1980-2006, performed at the forensic wards in 6 districts of the country The statistical analysis includes comparison of means and percentages. They are carried out using SPSS Version 11. We accepted statistical significant values of P equals; .05.

RESULTS

The incidence of lethal injuries caused by electricity is 1.29 cases per 100000 people per year. The average age of the deceased from electro-trauma is 37.3 years. Men (85%) prevails over women (14.84%). There are 24.32% of the cases that are work-related accidents, and 60.61% of them are domestic. Suicide through electrocution is relatively rare: 7.21%. Homicide has not been registered in our study. Low-voltage injuries (42.06%) are more common than high-voltage ones (30.72%). 62.68% of the lethal cases occur in summer, between June and September.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the studied cases, electro-trauma occurs at a young age. The victims are typically men. Work-related accidents are more common than domestic ones; injuries by low voltage are observed more frequently than those by high voltage. Suicides are very rare, and not a single case of homicide has been observed in the study. There exists a seasonal variation in incidence of lethal accidents caused by electric current, its peak being during the summer months.