ARTIFACT FROM AN ELECTROSURGICAL GROUND PAD

Artifacts from medical intervention are frequently present in medicole gal autopsies and must be distinguished from injuries of forensic inte rest, particularly in deaths from trauma. In this case, burns resultin g from incomplete skin contact of an electrosurgical ground pad during surgery for multiple gunshot wounds were initially confused with abra sions caused by impact of bullet fragments. Inspection of the decedent 's clothing and of the medical records revealed the true etiology of t his injury.