ABSTRACT
We analyzed 1,079 forensic autopsies conducted in 2021 by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute from the Jungbu province in the central part of South Korea, for their manner and cause of death. Among the manner of death (n=1,079), 45.3% (n=489) were categorised as unnatural, 39.5% (n=426) as natural, and 15.2% (n=164) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths (n=489), 40.7% (n=199) were accidents, 36.8% (n=180) were suicides, 14.1% (n=69) were undetermined, and 8.4% (n=41) were homicides. The major causes of unnatural deaths (n=489) were by trauma, causing 34.4% (n=168), poisoning causing 26.8% (n=131), and asphyxia causing 17.2% (n=84). The major cause of death by trauma (n=168) was falling at 46.4% (n=78), and by asphyxia (n=84) was strangulation at 76.2% (n=64). Among natural deaths (n=426), heart disease was the major cause at 49.8% (n=212) followed by vascular disease at 16.7% (n=71). In future, a time-series statistical analysis on the manner and causes of death in Jungbu province may provide insight and allow for more advanced interpretations about both healthcare and public safety.
ABSTRACT
We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 945 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (Central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon institute in 2020. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 43.6% (412/945 cases) were natural deaths, 41.6% (393/945 cases) were unnatural deaths, and 14.8% (140/945 cases) deaths were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death (40.7%, 160/393 cases) were by accidents, 29.5% (116/393 cases) were by suicide, 21.6% (85/393 cases) were undetermined, and 8.1% (32/393 cases) were by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major cause of death (42.7%, 168/393 cases) were by trauma, 19.3% (76/393 cases) were by poisoning, and 16.5% (65/393 cases) were by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (42.9%, 72/168 cases) and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (72.3%, 47/65 cases). Among natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (43.7%, 180/412 cases), followed by vascular disease (18.9%, 78/412 cases). This study is the first statistical analysis of the manner and cause of deaths in the Jungbu province. A time-series statistical analysis of the manner and cause of deaths in this province might allow more advanced interpretations about both public safety and healthcare in the future.