In an electrical fatality, the entry wound (contact wound) at the point of current entry shows all of the following features EXCEPT:

• A Central crater of coagulation necrosis surrounded by a pale areola and peripheral congestion ring
• B Crocodile skin appearance (crocodile-hide pattern) due to electrical arborescent marking ✓
• C Absence of hair burning or singeing at the entry mark
• D Joule's burn — a metallic imprint of the conductor on the skin

Explanation

The characteristic features of an electrical entry (contact) wound include: (1) central coagulation necrosis with pale central zone; (2) surrounding areola of blanching; (3) outer rim of congestion/haemorrhage (giving a 'bull's eye' appearance); (4) Joule's burn — metallic deposits from the conductor if it is a metal object. Arborescent (lightning-figure, Lichtenberg figures or keraunoparalysis) markings — the fern-like or crocodile-skin branching pattern — are specifically a feature of LIGHTNING strike, not low-voltage or high-voltage industrial electrical injuries. These are vasomotor disturbances, not true burns, and disappear within hours.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.