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Štěpánka PK, Dalibor K, Tomáš V, Lenka Z, Martin J, Rizwana R, Petr H. Electrocuted to death: A case of an autoerotic fatality with body wrapping, anal masochism, and low abdomen mechanical stimulation. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 63:102265. [PMID: 37150122 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Autoerotic paraphilic manipulations may be not only incredibly unusual but also hazardous and possibly fatal. Autoerotic experimenters sometimes combine several paraphilic mechanisms, both potentially lethal and non-lethal. A tragic outcome is usually a direct consequence of the life-threatening paraphilic mechanism(s); however, it may also result from an accidental complication arising from the constellation of the paraphilic realization. In this report, we present a case of an autoerotic death of a 30-year-old man who applied two potentially lethal paraphilic mechanisms-body wrapping and foreign body anal insertion-together with two other non-lethal paraphilic activities, autofetishism and transvestitism. However, the man's death ultimately occurred due to another associated autoerotic activity-stimulation of the lower abdomen with an electric massager, which accidentally short-circuited and caused fatal electrocution. Such autoerotic fatalities constitute a distinct subcategory of accidental autoerotic death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pohlová Kučerová Štěpánka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Kovařík Dalibor
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtíšek Tomáš
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital Brno, Tvrdého 562/2a, 662 99 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zátopková Lenka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Janík Martin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Kollárova 10, 036 59 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Riaz Rizwana
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Hejna Petr
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Günal B, Sokolovski F, Neu N, Schwabegger AH, König TT, Engel V, Muensterer OJ. High voltage injuries by contact with overhead lines: case reports of two young girls. J Burn Care Res 2021; 43:496-498. [PMID: 34695205 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
High voltage burn injuries are rare in the pediatric age group, but can lead to devastating, severe sequelae. We present the cases of two young girls who suffered high voltage burn injuries due to direct contact with overhead power lines. Both patients came from difficult psychosocial backgrounds. The injuries resulted in severe long-term consequences and functional deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Günal
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - F Sokolovski
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - N Neu
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A H Schwabegger
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - T T König
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - V Engel
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - O J Muensterer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Gentile G, Andreola S, Bailo P, Boracchi M, Fociani P, Piccinini A, Zoja R. A Pilot Study on the Diagnosis of Fatal Electrocution by the Detection of Myocardial Microhemorrhages. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:840-845. [PMID: 31821551 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In electrocutions, death may be caused by alterations in the heart conduction system provoking ventricular fibrillation. This study aims to identify histological cardiac markers of high- and low-voltage electrocution. Two groups of decedents were evaluated: group A included 14 fatalities caused by high- or low-voltage electrocution and group B (control) included 14 fatalities due to other traumatic or disease causes. Myocardial sampling with microscopic examination was performed on all the hearts using the hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains to investigate morphological characteristics that could indicate the damage caused by high- and low-voltage electrocutions. Interstitial myocardial hemorrhagic infiltration was the only differentiating finding, which was shown only in high-voltage electrocution. This pathological finding has not been previously reported, and it may be specific to high-voltage electrocution deaths. Further studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guendalina Gentile
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Andreola
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Bailo
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Boracchi
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Fociani
- Direttore Unità Operativa Complessa di Anatomia patologica, Ospedale Nuovo di Legnano, ASST Ovest Milanese, Soma Srl, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Piccinini
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
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Boracchi M, Crudele GDL, Gentile G, Maciocco F, Maghin F, Marchesi M, Muccino E, Zoja R. Extensive study on electrocution at the Bureau of Legal Medicine of Milan (1993-2017): Determination of the current mark with scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis on paraffin-embedded samples. Med Leg J 2019; 87:67-73. [PMID: 30968747 DOI: 10.1177/0025817219833328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Literature on electrocution in Italy is limited. The authors have focused their attention on the use of scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis in order to evaluate the current mark even on paraffin-embedded samples. A total of 24,104 autopsies were performed at the Section of Legal Medicine of Milan (1993-2017); all cases of death caused by electrocution (low and high voltage) were selected. We assessed a regular histological examination, a toxicological examination and detected metallisation with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis on paraffin-embedded tissues of typical current marks. We collected 27 high-voltage fatalities and five cases of low-voltage suicide electrocution; the technique revealed itself as sensitive. In all cases, microscopic examination highlighted the typical signs of electric current and thermal damage but the histochemical specific stainings for copper and iron gave negative results. Scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, assessed on these same samples, even when paraffin-embedded, however, enabled us to detect these elements and differentiate between the various metal residues involved in the electrocution process. Based on their experience, authors advise the use of scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis on electrocution deaths to provide information for forensic diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Boracchi
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Graziano Domenico Luigi Crudele
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Guendalina Gentile
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Maciocco
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Maghin
- 2 Medicina Legale, Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Marchesi
- 3 Responsabile USS Medicina Legale - AO Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Enrico Muccino
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Karthik K, Behera C, Gupta SK, Bhardwaj DN. Cut wrists, electrocution and subsequent drowning in a water drum: an unusual combination of methods in complex suicide. Med Leg J 2013; 81:124-7. [PMID: 24057311 DOI: 10.1177/0025817213497168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A 25-year-old male was found dead in a water drum inside the bathroom of his house one morning. Autopsy revealed a fatal right wrist cut, superficial cuts on middle phalanx of left index finger and features of ante mortem drowning. Investigation revealed the victim was an alcoholic and was depressed due to financial problems. On the previous night, under the influence of alcohol, he first tried to commit suicide by cutting wrist with razor blades, but death was not immediate. He then attempted electrocuting himself by touching a live wire, inside the bathroom, which failed and finally he drowned in a water drum. The victim had left a message, written with his blood on the floor of the room, reflecting his suicidal intentions. In complex suicide, many bizarre methods are used, but this combination of methods is unusual and not found in available forensic literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Karthik
- Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
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Abstract
Poisoning, hanging, and burning are the usual methods adopted by people to commit suicide. Suicide by electrocution and that too high voltage is one of the rarest methods adopted for the purpose. We report the case of a young man who committed suicide by climbing up a 25-ft-high electric pole. The deceased was a regular alcoholic and was under severe depression for a long time because of his personal problems. He survived for more than 2 days after the incident. His serum urea and creatinine levels were elevated, so were the creatine kinase total and creatine kinase-MB level. The method adopted and the findings make this case a rare scientific report. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in an English scientific literature of a high-voltage suicidal electrocution with multiple exit wounds. The circumstances surrounding the manner of electrocution and the features of electric injuries are presented and discussed.
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