[Experimental studies of the development of linear electric current marks].

UNLABELLED: By means of reconstructing electric current pathways electrophysical conditions were explored causing electrocution death in the bathtub, according to many authors quite often indicated by linear electric lesions. In our experimental settings we observed appearance of circumscribed linear marks of pallor similar to electric lesions in the region of postmortem lividity of corpses at the same level as bathtub water. None of typical histological indicators could be seen in skin samples. So no evidence was given for electric burns even under conditions of high density and extended duration of current. Similar linear marks and equivalent histological results were found when corpses were put into the bathtub filled with cold water without any experimental electric contact.

CONCLUSIONS: Linear marks of pallor may occur at water level even without any electric contact to corpse or water neither bathtub.

IMPLICATIONS: According to specific conditions mentioned above linear so called electric lesions at water level do not indicate electric current yet lethal electric damage.