Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

462 17 Electrical Deaths
Fig. 17.20 Extensive
high-voltage thermal injuries
on the foot underlying the
boot shown in Fig. 17.19
Fig. 17.21 The microscopic appearance of a skin electrical injury. “Nuclear streaming” is most
evident on the left side of the image, where the nuclei of the epidermis cells are “lined-up” in a
somewhat parallel fashion
the suspicion of a possible lightning strike death. Most lightning strike deaths are
thought to be due to cardiac arrest and/or electrothermal injuries. Most lightning
strikes occur outdoors; however, rare cases occur indoors.
The force of a lightning strike can literally rip the clothing off of a victim
(Fig. 17.22). Metal objects on or in the clothing, or on the body (jewelry) can show
evidence of “arc marks,” charring or even melting (Disc Image 17.18). Skin adjacent
to metal objects is frequently burnt (Fig. 17.23). The spectrum of injuries that