High-voltage electrical arc injuries are a severe occupational hazard, but fatal cases involving a “near-contact” or “contactless” mechanism are sparsely documented and prone to misinterpretation. We present a case that integrates forensic engineering analysis with pathognomonic autopsy findings to provide a clear diagnostic reference. A 51-year-old male painter was found in cardiorespiratory arrest while using an aluminum pole to paint a commercial facade. A forensic engineering examination revealed the pole was within 170 cm of a high-voltage power line. The autopsy revealed classic electrical entry and exit wounds alongside a distinct thermal burn on the right flank. The integration of scene measurements and specific autopsy findings suggests death by electrocution via a near-contact electrical arc. The thermal burn illustrates a secondary injury mechanism from the arc flash. This case provides a clear methodological and pathological framework for diagnosing these complex occupational fatalities, where the absence of evidence of direct contact or the presence of associated thermal burns can be misleading.
Cançado et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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