Endothelial cell membrane perforation of aorta and pulmonary artery in the electrocution victims

Some electrocution deaths occur without detectable current marks on the skin, making forensic examination to determine the true cause of death more difficult. Because arterial thrombosis was a frequent finding in victims of electrocution, we investigated injury to the endothelium of the aorta and pulmonary artery with a scanning electron microscope in five cases of death known to be caused by electrocution. We found large pores on the surface of endothelial cells of the aorta and pulmonary artery in those who died of electrocution, but no endothelial membrane perforation was found in those who died of cardiac diseases. These findings were present within 12h after death. Therefore, scanning electron microscopic evidence of endothelial perforation in the aorta and pulmonary artery could be a useful marker to identify electrocution for those victims without detectable current marks on the skin.