PART A – Dermatological findings after alleged torture arranged in an asymmetric pattern, mostly obliquely directed down the legs. They showed signs of external infliction in agreement with a liquid running down the legs, and they indicated sequels to necrotic areas as expected following a corrosive injury. 6. ELECTRICAL INJURIES Electric current follows the shortest route between the two electrodes through tissue with the lowest resistance, i.e. blood vessels, nerves and muscles (Danielsen, 2002). When using high-voltage stun weapons, the current flow cannot, however, be limited to the pathway between the electrodes (Amnesty International, 1999). The possibility of finding signs of electrical influence in the skin, particularly histological signs, is related to the type of electricity transferred, since the electrolytic action will be most pronounced by transfer of direct current and will not be present following transfer of high-frequency alternating current, where the concomitant heat generation dominates (Danielsen, 2002). Also, the amount of energy used plays a role for a domination of burn injuries in the lesions, particularly concerning low frequency alternating current. In some of the cases, electric torture leaves acute lesions on the skin. Unlike burn lesions, these lesions usually do not reflect the shape of the instrument used, but appear in segments within the influenced areas, since the current selects areas with low resistance (Dyhre-Poulsen et al., 1977, Danielsen et al., 1978, Danielsen et al., 1978). Electrical torture via electrodes shaped like a knitting needle, “Picana”, leaves clusters and linear arrangements of 1-5 mm 9 wide lesions, covered by red-brown crusts, sometimes surrounded by a 1-2 mm broad, erythematous zone with irregular and indistinct edges (Rasmussen, 1990). Lesions in lines following a linear application of the electrodes may also be seen. The crusts probably correspond to an electrical injury and may contain deposits of metal from the electrodes (Thomsen, 1984; Jacobsen, 1997). The concomitant heat development has not been sufficient to induce a regular inflammation in the periphery. ≠≠ Differential diagnosis may be insect bites or scratching. Many, a few mm large, red lesions have been seen following the use of a battery-driven electrical instrument (TAT-Group against Torture 2001). ≠≠ A contact dermatitis may be a differential diagnosis. Well-demarcated, serpiginous lesions, measuring 1-2 cm across, with an irregular, narrow, elevated, peripheral zone and a central area containing several black spots, each measuring 1-2 mm, have been observed shortly after electrical injuries on the left side of the chest and on the left arm (Danielsen et al., 1991). The lesions show indication of electrical injury because of their appearance in 1-2 mm large segments and because of the involvement of blood vessels. ≠≠ Vasculitis or haemorrhagic herpes zoster might constitute a differential diagnosis. The location might be helpful since vasculitis is chiefly located at the lower extremities, is symmetrical and is sometimes more diffusely located, while herpes zoster is located in an area innervated by a single ganglion and is unilateral. Clusters of round, red macular scars, about 1 mm in diameter, have been observed four weeks after “Picana” (Kjærsgaard & Genefke, 1977). Eight weeks later, many of the