Ein verhängnisvoller Restaurantbesuch

Survived electrical accidents are uncommon events in routine forensic practice. A 14-month-old boy with no known pre-existing medical conditions began convulsing while standing near a shoe grate in the doorway while visiting a restaurant. While the cause of the cardiac arrest could initially not be determined clinically, the forensic medical examination revealed an electrical mark on the left forearm and evidence of electrical influence on the acra. The electrotechnical expert examination revealed scratch-like traces and adhesions of aluminium on the copper conductors under the damaged conductor insulation on the shoe grate. Touching the grounded door resulted in current (electricity) flow through the child’s body and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia. Mild global brain atrophy remained after 4 weeks of treatment. Due to the lack of technical (legal) regulations, the incident was not punished. In the case of unclear pediatric injury patterns, forensic medical expertise should be consulted as early as possible.