Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 4/2019

01-12-2019 | Images in Forensics

“Selfie”-related electrocution

Authors: Drazen Cuculic, Ivan Sosa

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 4/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Electrical injuries contribute a small but significant fraction to all burn trauma cases, and an even smaller proportion to those that are lethal. Accidental death rates among teenagers are the highest of all age-groups, and taking a “selfie” has been a practice that has, on rare occasions, led to such a death, often from electrocution. The case of a young man and his friend, who were electrocuted after climbing onto the roof of a parked railway wagon to take selfies is reported. One died at the scene, while the other survived. This case demonstrates that electrocution may occur with parked railway wagons, and in the young may be associated with selfie taking.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Byard RW, Hanson KA, Gilbert JD, James RA, Nadeau J, Blackbourne B, et al. Death due to electrocution in childhood and early adolescence. J Paediatr Child Health. 2003;39:46–8.CrossRef Byard RW, Hanson KA, Gilbert JD, James RA, Nadeau J, Blackbourne B, et al. Death due to electrocution in childhood and early adolescence. J Paediatr Child Health. 2003;39:46–8.CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Sleet DA, Ballesteros MF, Borse NN. A review of unintentional injuries in adolescents. Annu Rev Public Health. 2010;31:195–212.CrossRef Sleet DA, Ballesteros MF, Borse NN. A review of unintentional injuries in adolescents. Annu Rev Public Health. 2010;31:195–212.CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Jain MJ, Mavani KJ. A comprehensive study of worldwide selfie-related accidental mortality: a growing problem of the modern society. Int J Inj Control Saf Promot. 2017;24:544–9.CrossRef Jain MJ, Mavani KJ. A comprehensive study of worldwide selfie-related accidental mortality: a growing problem of the modern society. Int J Inj Control Saf Promot. 2017;24:544–9.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Bansal A, Garg C, Pakhare A, Gupta S. Selfies: a boon or bane? J Fam Med Prim Care. 2018;7:828–31.CrossRef Bansal A, Garg C, Pakhare A, Gupta S. Selfies: a boon or bane? J Fam Med Prim Care. 2018;7:828–31.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Flaherty GT, Choi J. The ‘selfie’ phenomenon: reducing the risk of harm while using smartphones during international travel. J Travel Med. 2016;23:tav026.CrossRef Flaherty GT, Choi J. The ‘selfie’ phenomenon: reducing the risk of harm while using smartphones during international travel. J Travel Med. 2016;23:tav026.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Bhogesha S, John JR, Tripathy S. Death in a flash: selfie and the lack of self-awareness. J Travel Med. 2016;23. Bhogesha S, John JR, Tripathy S. Death in a flash: selfie and the lack of self-awareness. J Travel Med. 2016;23.
7.
go back to reference Leary MR, Baumeister RF. The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. In: Zukauskiene R, editor. Interpersonal Development. London: Routledge; 2017. p. 57–89. Leary MR, Baumeister RF. The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. In: Zukauskiene R, editor. Interpersonal Development. London: Routledge; 2017. p. 57–89.
8.
go back to reference Wick R, Byard RW. Electrocution and the autopsy. In: Tsokos M, editor. Forensic pathology reviews, vol. 5. New York: Humana Press; 2009. p. 53–66.CrossRef Wick R, Byard RW. Electrocution and the autopsy. In: Tsokos M, editor. Forensic pathology reviews, vol. 5. New York: Humana Press; 2009. p. 53–66.CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Taylor AJ, McGwin G Jr, Valent F, Rue LW 3rd. Fatal occupational electrocutions in the United States. Inj Prev. 2002;8:306–12.CrossRef Taylor AJ, McGwin G Jr, Valent F, Rue LW 3rd. Fatal occupational electrocutions in the United States. Inj Prev. 2002;8:306–12.CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Kim E, Lee JA, Sung Y, Choi SM. Predicting selfie-posting behavior on social networking sites: an extension of theory of planned behavior. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;62:116–23.CrossRef Kim E, Lee JA, Sung Y, Choi SM. Predicting selfie-posting behavior on social networking sites: an extension of theory of planned behavior. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;62:116–23.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Wick R, Gilbert JD, Simpson E, Byard RW. Fatal electrocution in adults – a 30-year study. Med Sci Law. 2006;46:166–72.CrossRef Wick R, Gilbert JD, Simpson E, Byard RW. Fatal electrocution in adults – a 30-year study. Med Sci Law. 2006;46:166–72.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
“Selfie”-related electrocution
Authors
Drazen Cuculic
Ivan Sosa
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-0078-4

Other articles of this Issue 4/2019

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 4/2019 Go to the issue