Forensic Medical Evaluation of Electric Shock Cases

Authors : Uğur Demir, Hüseyin Gürbüz, Hüseyin Kafadar

Pages : 550-555

Doi:10.20515/otd.1655480

View : 44 | Download : 16

Publication Date : 2025-06-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The study aims to examine the demographic characteristics, types of injuries, treatment processes and contents of forensic reports of patients admitted to the emergency department due to electric shock. This retrospective study included 132 patients admitted to Harran University Hospital between 2019-2024 due to electric shock. Patient data, including age, gender, presence of entry or exit lesions, whether a forensic report was kept, If a forensic report has been prepared, its content, anatomical location of the lesions, mortality status, and length of hospital stay, were obtained from the hospital\\\'s information management system. Of the 132 patients, 61.4% were male, with a mean age of 25.0±14.91 years, and 38.6% were female, with a mean age of 21.4±16.67 years. Electric shock incidents occurred most frequently at home (47%), followed by the workplace (18.9%) and outdoor areas (25%). Entry lesions were most commonly observed on the hands (48 cases), while exit lesions were most often seen on the feet (7 cases). Thirteen patients required intubation, and 7 of them subsequently died. A total of 11 patients died due to electric shock. Electrical injury cases are frequently observed in young adults and children and are particularly associated with domestic and occupational accidents. The presence of entry and exit wounds serves as a significant indicator of both clinical severity and the necessity for forensic evaluation. It is emphasized that emergency physicians should not only focus on clinical treatment but also require increased awareness and training regarding their responsibilities in forensic documentation.
Keywords : Elektrik çarpması, , Elektrik yaralanması, , Acil servis, , Adli değerlendirme

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