Electrocution‐related deaths in Türkiye: A 5‐year autopsy‐based forensic study of 386 cases with multimodal medicolegal evaluation

Abstract

Electrocution is a significant, preventable cause of medicolegal death. This study conducted a 5‐year (2015–2019) retrospective autopsy‐based analysis of 386 electrocution fatalities in Türkiye, evaluating demographic, environmental, and forensic findings to identify key epidemiological patterns and safety gaps. Victims were predominantly male (91.45%), with a peak incidence among young adults aged 20–29 (25.9%). Fatalities occurred most frequently during the summer (44.56%) and within workplace settings (53.89%). Notably, low‐voltage (<1000 V) alternating current was the primary source of fatalities, accounting for 47.41% of cases. External electrical lesions were most prevalent on the upper extremities, with the left upper extremity identified as the most frequent site (28.2%). In cases where macroscopically distinct burns were absent, histopathological evaluation of skin specimens provided diagnostic confirmation. The most reliable microscopic markers included spindle‐shaped nuclei (38.3%), thermoelectric effects (35.3%), and homogenization of dermal collagen (32.7%). Toxicological screening was largely negative for alcohol (83.94%) and illicit drugs (89.12%). Environmental analysis demonstrated that electrical leakage was approximately 2.7 times more likely on wet floor surfaces compared to dry ones. These findings highlight that electrocution fatalities in Türkiye are primarily occupational and accidental, emphasizing the urgent need for widespread adoption of residual current devices and stricter enforcement of workplace safety protocols.