A Rare Case of Fatal Lightning Strike in Dammam with Unusual Cutaneous Findings

Abstract

Determining the cause of death in lightning strikes could be easily reached if the circumstances were witnessed or if typical kerauno-pathologic features were found on the body. However, in rare cases, certain unusual skin features are found, which makes attribution to the cause of death more difficult, especially if unwitnessed. In this case, a witnessed lightning strokes a 42-year-old male while he was walking outdoors in a rainy day, leaving him with a rare finding of punctuate burns over the back of the body (crocodile skin) and nonspecific internal organ findings. The clothes were burnt and shredded, and the hair of the affected area was singed. Rare findings of lightning strikes need to be reported as they can be the key in leading investigations in unwitnessed strikes.