Dermal surface in electric and thermal injuries. Observations by scanning electron microscopy.

The dermal surface (after enzymatic digestion of the dermo-epidermal junction) in electric and heat lesions is described. There do not appear to be elements that help in forming a precise differential diagnosis. It is possible, however, to differentiate these lesions from all traumatic cutaneous injuries and some limited nontraumatic lesions (e.g., verrucae). Remarkably good preservation of the dermal surface even in an advanced state of decomposition does suggest the possibility of certain diagnosis of electric and heat lesions even when postmortem phenomena have greatly damaged or even totally removed the epithelial part of the skin.