In all cases of suspected electrocution, there should be an examination of the alleged source of the electrical current including electrical devices the individual was handling at the time of death. In low-voltage electrocutions, examination of the device rather than examination of the body will often provide the cause of death, because burns may not be present. Thus, one can make a diagnosis of electrocution without an electrical burn, based on the circumstances of the death, negative autopsy findings and the examination of the electrical device in use. In high-voltage electrocution, tissue from the victim may be adherent at the point of contact with the source of the current (e.g., a metal ladder).

it is not necessary to have electric wounds, the so called joule burn, flash burn, crater formation or crocodile burns in each and every cases.

As rightly questioned it becomes some times very difficult for an autopsy surgeon to opine regarding electrocution deaths.

in such cases Not only the thorough examination of body is essential but also to have first hand knowledge of scene of incidence, nature of electric source and the circumstances in which the person got electrocuted.

A report of local electric engineer must be sought for the equipment of incident causing electrocution.

it is common that a wet hand or body part will leave very few findings of electric current mark or burns. in such cases it is important to examine the body creases like axillae or inguinal region for reddening caused due to generation of heat.

Also the internal organs will show petechial hemorrhages in roughly an order of the flow of current.

in such cases we have to rule out all the other causes of death before finally opining regarding the cause of death as electrocution due to electric current.

Still it is no doubt a difficult case to opine which should be done cautiously.

If the history is clear and if some one has seen the incident then with the help of corroborative evidence a probable cause of death can be given. What will be the scenario if the history or the scene incident did not give a clue? Will it be an obscure autopsy?

One could make diagnosis of electrocution based on the history given and crime scene. In most cases evaluation of the electrocuted place ie the crime scene could give a clue despite no point of entry or exit seen on the body during external examination. However, internal examination might give us clue of sudden organ rupture with fluidity-that still depends on the voltage involved and how vulnerable the body is to the source at point of electrocution.This is apart from checking of the voltage-low or high as the case may be.

i agree, circumstantial evidence plays a vital role

in electrocution most of the death are due to ventricular fibrilation and even short duration exposure of electric current can cause disturbance of av node . it happens only in ac current not in dc current. you will find alot of findings in dc current.

you may not find any of externnal finding in ac current electrocution ,then you have to look for cardic mucle findings. only on microscopy you can find some changes in myocardium and conduction system

We may not get electrical injuries at all all the time.

Circumstantial evidence and experience play major role in diagnosis.

CK level is a good indicator for electrical torture survivors which sometimes reach to a 1000x of normal level in 24 hours time however postmortems are carried out in the official institute and unfortunately they do not perform the test for routine.

The bones on the way of electrical current get warm due to its high resistence as a tissue and burn the surrounding tissues sometimes  so particularly muscles around could be checked for burns.

In addition to the previous answers, we should pay attention to the significance of skin metallization in the diagnosis of electrocution. This can be done through μ-probe X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

Autopsy per-se, COD cannot be confirmed. With circumstantial evidence, it could be suggested.

All other modalities are a drive around.

Approval in court is established if there is live naked wire/ conducting media at the scene, if there is chance of victim getting in contact with source, if the victim has actually contacted the source, and if such a contact would actually cause death. Any break in this evidential matter would not benefit the victim. Presumption could not be an evidence, but can be a corroboration, in the absence of the other physical fact.

In addition to all the previous answers I can say that we always look for the presence of macroscopic hemorrhages on the floor of the fourth ventricle, it is not a pathognomonic sign (always happens in forensic pathology) but it helps.

Where there has been contact with a metallic object, local metallic residues are known to be found at the point of contact on the skin. A skin swab may be collected for metallic residues. 

Distinguished Colleague Dr. Rudra

Please can you tell me what kind of analysis do you perform in that swab. And more important, where do you make the skin swab if there are no external electrical injury marks?

Thank you and regards from Argentina

Usually there is marked fluidity of blood and petechiae on the lungs and epicadium. Please note that these features could also been seen in other asphyxial deaths

yes as said above petechiae, ecchymosis in heart and pulmonary oedema are noticed though they appear non specific they do help .....

one more point is after shock the animal is usually thrown away the related pattern of injury may help

as in a case we saw neck injury with severe haemorrhage in the facia

which was correlated with the history as to frame by frame recall before death by witness

corroborative testimony helps......