The Role of Forensic Engineering in the Diagnosis of Electrocution Fatalities: Two Case Reports
10.1016/j.shaw.2022.11.002
- Author:
Mohammad ALQASSIM
1
;
Raneem EWISS
;
Hamdah Al ALI
Author Information
1. Specialty Forensic Evidence Department, General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police GHQ, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2023;14(1):124-130
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The increase in the number of fatal electric accidents over the years has escalated the demand for specialized forensic engineers to determine their relevant technical causes. Likewise, the complexities associated with identifying the causes of electrocution accidents have prompted the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology at Dubai Police to adopt a new methodology to diagnose electrocution accidents, consisting of an approach that involves medico-legal examination, electrical diagnosis of the evidence, and trace evidence analysis. This paper will discuss the application of the adopted method in further detail by unfolding two case reports. The first report outlines a case in which a worker got electrocuted at a construction site while attempting to turn on a lamp. The second case report involves the death of a technician in a workshop after trying to disconnect a washing machine from its plug. The methodology was utilized during the investigation of both cases, which were attended by the appointed forensic engineers and showed promising results.
