Atypical Case of Fractal Wood Burning: Two Burned Bodies.
Journal
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
ISSN: 1533-404X
Titre abrégé: Am J Forensic Med Pathol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8108948
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 Jun 2023
01 Jun 2023
Historique:
medline:
8
5
2023
pubmed:
18
2
2023
entrez:
17
2
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Fractal wood burning is a form of pyrography that uses high-voltage electricity to burn branching, Lichtenberg-type patterns into a wooden canvas. This process often uses electrical transformers salvaged from household appliances, such as microwave ovens, to amplify available voltage to potentially lethal levels. In this case, 2 individuals were found dead inside their burned residential garage. Initially, law enforcement was suspicious of a double homicide with subsequent arson. However, postmortem examination showed the decedents had neither fatal antemortem trauma nor significant natural disease. Findings consistent with smoke inhalation were absent, suggesting that the victims were deceased before the fire. Interestingly, one decedent had jumper cables in their hand, and their recent computer activity included fractal wood burning-related content. Upon further scene investigation, 2 microwave ovens were identified in the garage, one of which had been disassembled with its transformer found adjacent to the bodies. The decedents likely died from high-voltage electrocution with ignition of the wooden canvas starting the structural fire. Since the first reported case in 2016, there have been 33 reported deaths attributed to fractal wood burning. The current study would be the first to report multiple fatalities due to a single fractal wood burning event.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36799759
doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000816
pii: 00000433-202306000-00010
doi:
Types de publication
Case Reports
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
118-121Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors report no conflict of interest.
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