Experimental study of the bone in the injury of alternate current / 中国法医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective After the rabbits were electrocuted by 220V AC,we found that the pathological changes in the surface of the bones electrocuted could be one objective and quantitative index for the diagnosis of electrocution in the forensic pathology.Methods The experiment animals were divided into four groups,including the antemortem electrical injury,postmortem electrical injury,putrefied and the normal.After specimens from each group being taken X ray examination,all specimens were then observed the morphological appearance of the surface of the bones with scanning electron microscopy(SEM),meanwhile,detected the kinds and contents of element in the electrical injury area with energy spectrum.Results①small holes on the surface of electrified area and the detection of contents of the elements in the high-density surrounding the holes could be a index for the diagnosis of AC injury and able to differentiate of the antemortem electrical injury,the postmortem electrical injury and the putrefied bones.②the morphologic changes of small holes and the alteration of the contents of elements such as calcium,phosphorus and carbon could be helpful to estimate the time of electrical injury.Conclusion The morphological appearances and the changes of elements in the surface of the bones electrocuted could be a useful index to analyse the differences among the antemortem electrical injury,postmortem electrical injury,putrefied and the normal bones.