ACCIDENTAL DEATHS DUE TO ELECTROCUTION DURING AMATEUR ELECTRO-FISHING

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Ajay Balachandran,
Associate Professor,
Department of Forensic Medicine,
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences,
AIMS Post, Kochi, Kerala, India – 682041.
Email – drajay1976@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Electro-fishing (passing electricity through water to catch fish) requires sophisticated equipment. While this method is commonly employed by scientists for survey and fisheries management, a crude and illegal form electro-fishing is employed in Kerala for catching fish from water bodies. This can result in accidental electrocution and even fatalities. Even though they are rare, forensic pathologists in Kerala do come across such deaths from time to time. 8 cases of accidental death which occurred during electro-fishing are discussed here.

KEYWORDS: Accidental Death, AC Current, Electrocution, Electro-fishing, Fatality, Fishing, Illegal Fishing.