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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/23095
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Fatal electrocution in adults - A 30-year study |
Author: | Wick, R. Gilbert, J. Simpson, E. Byard, R. |
Citation: | Medicine Science and the Law, 2006; 46(2):166-172 |
Publisher: | Chiltern Publishing |
Issue Date: | 2006 |
ISSN: | 0025-8024 2042-1818 |
Abstract: | A retrospective study was undertaken of all cases of death in adults (>16 years) due to electrocution which were autopsied at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia, over a 30-year period from 1973 to 2002. A total of 96 cases were identified with 87 males (91%) (mean age=41.6 years; range 17 to 86 years) and nine females (9%) (mean age=49.2 years; range 20 to 76 years). Deaths were due to accidents in 66 cases (69%; M:F = 63:3), suicides in 28 cases (29%; M:F=24:4) and homicides in two cases (2%). Both homicide victims were females, with females accounting for only 5% of the accidents and 14% of suicides. The number of accidental deaths increased until the early 1990s and then declined, whereas suicidal electrocutions were only found in the last 20 years of the study. Most deaths (N = 80; 83%) were due to low voltage circuits (<1000 volts), with deaths due to high voltages occurring in 15 cases (16%). One death was due to lightning (1%). While suicides were evenly distributed throughout the year, most accidental deaths occurred in late spring and summer (N = 42; 64%) with the lowest number of accidental deaths occurring in winter and early spring. This report demonstrates a significantly higher rate of electrocution deaths among males, with a summer predominance of accidental deaths, most likely due to increased outdoor activities in better weather. The reduction in cases over the last decade of the study may be a reflection of the success of workplace and domestic safety campaigns. Female electrocution suicides and electrocution homicides were rare events. |
Keywords: | Humans Burns, Electric Electric Injuries Autopsy Risk Factors Retrospective Studies Suicide Accidents Homicide Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Middle Aged South Australia Female Male |
DOI: | 10.1258/rsmmsl.46.2.166 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/rsmmsl.46.2.166 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 2 Pathology publications |
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