Comparative Gross and Histopathological Evaluation of Ante Mortem versus Post Mortem Electrocution Burn Marks: A Two Year Observational Study at Aiims, New Delhi

Abstract

Background: Differentiating ante mortem (AM) from post mortem (PM) electrocution burn marks is a recurring forensic challenge, especially when only a single suspicious lesion is present at autopsy. The present study prospectively analysed gross and light microscopic characteristics of AM and experimentally produced PM electrocution marks to identify discriminative features.

Methods: In a comparative observational design (July 2018 – June 2020) we examined 25 AM electrocution fatalities and 30 fresh cadavers on which a standardised PM electroburn (220 V, 400–1000 mA, 3–4 s) was created following ethical approval. Systematic documentation of demographic context, lesion size/shape/location and quantitative histomorphology (16 predefined variables) was performed. Pearson’s χ² test with Yates’ correction determined significance (SPSS v24.0; p<0.05).

Results: AM victims were predominantly male (92%) and aged 21–50 years. AM lesions most frequently involved the palmar hand (72%), were elongated (60%) and >1 cm in 52% of cases. Histology revealed significantly higher frequencies of epidermal necrosis (72% vs 43%, p=0.03), streaming of nuclei (72% vs 53%, p=0.04), and dermo epidermal separation (28% vs 13%, p=0.01) in AM compared with PM samples. Vascular nuclear elongation was common in AM (72%) but only occasional in PM (33%). No inflammatory infiltrate, metallisation or sebaceous gland involvement was observed in either group.

Conclusion: While several microscopic criteria overlap, a constellation of pronounced epidermal necrosis, nuclear streaming, and dermo epidermal separation strongly favours an AM origin. The proposed algorithm incorporating five key variables yielded 84% sensitivity and 80% specificity for AM diagnosis in our cohort. Multicentric validation is recommended.