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Review
. 2018 Mar;8(1):98-111.
doi: 10.23907/2018.007. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Lightning and the Forensic Pathologist

Ryan Blumenthal  1
Affiliations
Review

Lightning and the Forensic Pathologist

Ryan Blumenthal. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

This paper explores the pathology caused by lightning. It covers the basic physics and mechanisms of injury of lightning strikes followed by a short discussion. The purpose of this paper is to suggest an approach to the investigation and autopsy of a lightning-related death.

Keywords: Autopsy; Forensic pathology; Keraunopathology; Lightning; Postmortem.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURES & DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors, reviewers, editors, and publication staff do not report any relevant conflicts of interest

Figures

Image 1
Image 1
A typical lightning discharge. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Neale du Plooy, Pretoria, South Africa.
Image 2
Image 2
Superficial charring of the skin on the abdomen. Note the synthetic material of the underwear which shows melting of fibres.
Image 3
Image 3
Superficial stellate-shaped lightning injury noted on the skin of a lightning-strike survivor who survived a lightning tent strike in Witbank, South Africa 2013. Photograph courtesy of Mr. Corrie Pieters, Deputy Director and District Coordinator Nkangala District, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Image 4
Image 4
The lightning-damaged ear. About 29 pounds per square inch is required to produce minor eardrum ruptures.
Image 5
Image 5
Intramyocardial haemorrhage in a 13-year-old hospitalized lightning-strike victim. The victim died several days after having been struck by lightning.
Image 6
Image 6
Tearing-and-tattering of clothing seen in a lightning strike victim.
Image 7
Image 7
Lichtenberg figures on the upper chest. Note also the linear burns on the neck and chest, corresponding to the wire from a pair of earbuds the decedent was wearing. Photo courtesy of J. Keith Pinckard.
Image 8
Image 8
Melting of synthetic fibres from heat seen in a lightning strike case.
Image 9
Image 9
The “tip-toe” sign in lightning often correlates with “blow-out” defects of material on the shoes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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