Lightning Related Deaths In Istanbul, Between 2007-2012

Abstract

Objective: Lightning injuries can cause a variety of injuries including “integumentary system, cardiac system, central nervous system, eyes and ears, and blunt trauma”, in which some of them may cause death. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate crime scene findings, autopsy findings and histopathological findings by presenting 9 cases that died due to lightning strike. Material and Methods: The 9 cases (0.3%) included this study were obtained from the screening of a total 24.755 cases that were performed autopsy at the Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul between 2007 – 2012. All cases’ age, gender, crime scene, circumstances during the event, witness statement, skin lession, autopsy findings, histopathological findings were evaluated. Results: Three (33.3%) cases were female and six (66.7%)cases were male, and the mean age was 39,66±13,36 (min:18, max:56). Fatal lightning strike occurred between April and September, but mostly in May. At autopsy, an external examination was revealed an electrical exit wound in 4 cases, burn areas on the skin in 5 cases, a Lichtenberg figure on the skin in 2 cases, and a burn in the hair surface in 4 cases. Conclusion: As a result, nonspecific findings are frequently detected in autopsies performed due to lightning strikes. However, crime scene investigation and the testimony of the witness may be the crucial indicative evidence for forensic investigators in getting an accurate diagnosis in cases of suspected lightning strikes. In addition, examining the clothes worn by victims provides important clues in diagnosis.

Keywords

• Lightning strike
• Death
• Autopsy
• Forensic

İSTANBUL’DA 2007-2012 YILLARI ARASINDA YILDIRIM ÇARPMASINA BAĞLI ÖLÜMLER

Abstract

Amaç: Yıldırım yaralanmaları, “örtü sistemi, kalp sistemi, merkezi sinir sistemi, gözler ve kulaklar, künt travma” dahil olmak üzere bazıları ölüme neden olabilen çeşitli yaralanmalara neden olabilir. Bu çalışmada yıldırım çarpması sonucu ölen 9 olgunun sunularak, olay yeri bulguları, otopsi bulguları ve histopatolojik bulguların değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya dahil edilen 9 olgu (% 0,3) 2007 - 2012 yılları arasında İstanbul Adli Tıp Kurumu'nda otopsi yapılan toplam 24.755 olgunun dosyalarının retrospektif taranmasından elde edildi. Tüm olguların yaşı, cinsiyeti, olay yeri, olay sırasındaki koşullar, tanık ifadesi, deri lezyonları, otopsi bulguları, histopatolojik bulgular değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Olguların üçü (% 33,3) kadın, altı (% 66,7) olgu erkekti ve ortalama yaş 39,66 ± 13,36 (min: 18, maks: 56) idi. Ölümcül yıldırım düşmesi Nisan ve Eylül ayları arasında, ancak çoğunlukla Mayıs ayında meydana geldi. Otopside 4 vakada elektriksel çıkış yarası, 5 vakada ciltte yanık alanları, 2 vakada ciltte Lichtenberg figürü ve 4 vakada saçta yanık tespit edildi. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak yıldırım düşmesi nedeniyle yapılan otopsilerde spesifik olmayan bulgular sıklıkla saptanmaktadır. Bununla birlikte olay yeri incelemesi ve tanık ifadeleri bu olgularda doğru tanı koymada adli araştırmacılar için önemli argümanlardır. Ayrıca kişinin giydiği kıyafetlerin incelenmesi de tanı koymada önemli ipuçları sağlayabilir.

Keywords

• Yıldırım çarpması
• Ölüm
• Otopsi
• Adli tıp

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