Influencing Factors of Horizontal Movement Distance of Bodies in High Falling Deaths / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the influencing factors of the horizontal distance of bodies in the high falling scene and the feasibility of inferring the falling mode based on it.@*METHODS@#A total of 614 high falling deaths and 15 cases of corpse dumping from high altitudes were collected. The relationship between the horizontal distance and the falling height, as well as the sex, age and manner of death (suicide, accident and corpse dumping) were observed.@*RESULTS@#The horizontal distance increased with the increase of falling height, and the difference among the height groups was statistically significant. The horizontal distance decreased with the increase of the age of the deceased, in each height group, the difference between the group over 60 years old and other age groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The horizontal distance of male deceased was (1.99±0.27) m, which was greater than that of female deceased (1.88±0.19) m, and the difference was statistically significant in partial height groups (P<0.05). Roof falls had a greater horizontal movement distance than window falls. Except for the >20-30 m group, there was no significant difference in horizontal distance between suicide high falls and accidental high falls in other height groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The horizontal distance is affected by the falling height, the sex and age of the victim, and the spatial characteristics of the falling starting point.

Suicidio con cloruro de potasio: Reporte de un caso / Suicide with potassium chloride: Case report

Resumen El suicidio es el uso deliberado de violencia externa con la intención de quitarse la vida, y el uso de medicamentos es una forma en la que esta se puede consumar, el cloruro de potasio es uno de los medicamentos que en concentraciones elevadas tienen efectos letales, por lo que el objetivo de este artículo científico es detallar características farmacológicas del cloruro de potasio, y los elementos a considerar en el estudio postmorten de cadáveres cuando se sospecha de una intoxicación por cloruro de potasio con manera de muerte suicida; con la metodología de estudio de artículos científicos, exposición de un caso clínico y discusión de la importancia del análisis de los elementos aportados y solicitados durante la investigación médico legal, también la especial y delicada importancia de una correcta recolección de muestras biológicas y continentes de medicamentos para el estudio toxicológico y químicoanalítico; de esta manera se concluye que el Cloruro de potasio es un fármaco con efectos colaterales dañinos en la función eléctrica cardiaca, la determinación de la manera de muerte es un trabajo complejo para el médico forense en este tipo de casos, y los resultados de la pericias complementarias a la autopsia tienen mucha importancia para el análisis de este tipo de casos.

Abstract Suicide is the deliberate use of external violence with the intention of taking one's life, and the use of medications is one way in which this can be consumed, potassium chloride is one of the medications that in high concentrations have lethal effects, Therefore, the objective of this scientific article is to detail the pharmacological characteristics of potassium chloride, and the elements to be considered in the postmortem study of corpses when potassium chloride poisoning is suspected as a suicidal death; with the methodology of study of scientific articles, presentation of a clinical case and discussion of the importance of the analysis of the elements provided and requested during the medical-legal research, also the special and delicate importance of a correct collection of biological samples and drug containers for toxicological and chemical analysis; In this way, it is concluded that potassium chloride is a drug with harmful collateral effects on cardiac electrical function, determining the manner of death is a complex job for the forensic doctor in this type of case, and the results of the expertise complementary to the autopsy are very important for the analysis of this type of case.

Suicidio con propofol: Reporte de un caso / Suicide with propofol: Case report

Resumen El suicidio con medicamentos es un tipo de muerte que se considera violenta desde el punto de vista médico legal por las circunstancias en las que ocurre, el uso del propofoles uno de los medicamentos que se ha documentado en estas formas de muerte, por lo que el objetivo de este artículo científico es detallar características farmacológicas del propofol, y los elementos a considerar durante el estudio postmorten de cadáveres cuando se sospecha de una intoxicación por propofol con una manera de muerte suicida; esto mediante el estudio de artículos científicos y exposición de un caso clínico y discutiendo la importancia del análisis de cada uno de los elementos aportados y solicitados durante la investigación médico legal, como también la especial y delicada importancia de una correcta recolección de muestras biológicas para el estudio toxicológico; de esta manera se con concluye que el propofol es un fármaco altamente nocivo al usarse de forma inadecuada, la determinación de la manera de muerte es una tarea compleja para el médico forense en este tipo de casos, y la adecuada obtención y preservación de las muestras postmorten tienen una alta importancia para su análisis e investigación.

Abstract Suicide with medications is a type of death that is considered violent from a medical legal point of view due to the circumstances in which it occurs, the use of propofol is one of the medications that has been documented in these forms of death, so the objective of this scientific article is to detail the pharmacological characteristics of propofol and the elements to consider during the postmortem study of corpses when propofol poisoning is suspected with a suicidal manner of death; This through the study of scientific articles and exposition of a clinical case and discussing the importance of the analysis of each of the elements contributed and requested during the legal medical investigation, as well as the special and delicate importance of a correct collection of biological samples for the toxicological study; In this way, it is concluded that propofol is a highly harmful drug when used improperly, the determination of the way of death is a complex task for the forensic doctor in this type of cases, and the adequate obtaining and preservation of samples postmortens are of high importance for their analysis and research.

Forensic Analysis of 105 Autopsy Cases of Psychiatric Patients / 法医学杂志

Objective To provide reference for medical and health services and forensic expertise, the causes and manners of death of psychiatric patients were analyzed retrospectively. Methods A total of 105 autopsy cases of psychiatric patients accepted and settled by Institute of Forensic Science of Criminal Investigation Police University of China from 2004 to 2019 were collected. The cases were divided into four groups： disease death, suicidal death, accidental death and homicidal death. The common causes of death of each group were statistically analyzed and the differences in age, disease duration, body mass index （BMI） and gender among the groups were assessed. Results Of the 105 cases, 60 were male and 45 were female, the course of psychosis was （12.9±10.4） years, the age of the deceased was （51.3±11.4） years, and 61.0% was schizophrenic. There were 50 cases （47.6%） in the disease death group, in which the psychiatric patients were the oldest and had the longest course of psychosis and lowest BMI. Pulmonary thromboembolism, respiratory infections, and cardiogenic disease were the most common causes of death in the group. There were 26 accidental deaths （24.8%）, among which traffic accidents were the most common cause of death. There were 15 homicidal deaths （14.3%）, all of which were male, with craniocerebral injury being the most common cause of death. There were 14 suicidal deaths （13.3%）. In suicidal death group, the age of the deceased was the youngest, the course of psychosis was the shortest and falling from the height was the most common way to commit suicide. Conclusion Understanding the common causes of death of psychiatric patients may contribute to developing measures to reduce the mortality rate of the population. It is necessary to investigate the age, course of psychosis and gender of the deceased when assessing the manner of death.

A Study on the Death Certificates and the Warrant of Seizure in Relation to the Death Certification System / 대한법의학회지

The death certification system in a modern welfare state is of critical importance because it is related to the collection of national statistics for health policy, social security and social welfare. So, the monitoring of death events by the government has become an important function of a constitutional state. There are two ways in which a death certificate can be issued: the medical judgment by the physician via the death certificate and through a warrant for an autopsy by a law enforcement agency, especially in the case of violent deaths. On a practical level, however, the death certificate issued by a physician may contain serious faults like an inaccurate assessment of the cause of death especially when the death resulted from unnatural causes. The warrant specified in the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act also raises the question of whether it is legally fulfilling its original mandate, especially when looking at procedures in the case of suicide or other causes of death that are not related to a crime. The authors, therefore, examined the shortcomings of legal codes related to death certification and warrants for autopsies and propose the reformation of legal codes for the death certification system.

Statistical Analysis of Postmortem Inspection Cases of the National Forensic Service Seoul Institute in 2017 / 대한법의학회지

This study provides a statistical analysis of 1,226 cases of death occurring in Area 8, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (Gangseo, Yangcheon, and Guro Police Stations) from January 1 to December 31, 2017. There were 427 postmortem inspection cases in Gangseo, 393 in Yangcheon, 377 in Guro, and 29 in other areas. The number of autopsy cases was 69 in Gangseo, 70 in Yangcheon, 86 in Guro, and seven in other areas. According to the postmortem inspection reports, there were 593 cases of natural death and 336 cases of unnatural death, while in 297 cases the cause of death was unknown. Of the 297 unknown cases, autopsy rates from each police station were as follows: 54 of 99 cases (54.5%) in Gangseo, 60 of 101 cases (59.4%) in Yangcheon, 67 of 93 cases (72.0%) in Guro, and in all four cases (100%) from other areas. Unnatural deaths included 215 cases of suicide, nine cases of homicide, and 64 accidental death, while 48 cases were undetermined. Among the unnatural deaths, the cause of death included 138 cases of hanging, 72 cases of falls from a height, and 32 cases of poisoning. Since this statistical study is based on actual postmortem inspection data for 1,226 cases of death in the eight areas of Seoul (excluding deaths from traffic accidents), it raises issues relating to the current postmortem inspection system, and can be used as reference material for a comprehensive overview of causes of death.

Retrospective analysis of 134 fatal cases with mental disorders during 2013 to 2016 / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To analyze the forensic characteristics of deaths in patients with mentally disordered and to provide instructions for forensic evaluation and clinical care.Methods All fatal cases were collected from Hongkou Branch of Shanghai Public Security Bureau from 2013 to 2016.The causes of death,manners of death and their relationship with other factors were statistically analyzed based on systemic case investigation.Results There were a total of 134 fatal cases with mental disorders.The male female ratio was 1 ∶ 1.23 and the mean age at death was (54.9 ± 17.6) years old.In all patients 89 cases (66.4％) had a clinical course of mental illness over 3 years,and 106 cases (79.1％) had a regular prescription of medications prior to deaths.Depression was the most common entity (94 cases),followed by schizophrenia (35 cases) and anxiety (5 cases).According to the manner of death,117 cases (87.3％) were suicidal,16 cases (11.9％) were sudden unexpected deaths,and 1case (0.7％) was accidental death.Fall was the most frequent manner in the suicidal cases (79 cases,58.9 ％).Compared with suicides,cases that died suddenly and unexpectedly had a significantly longer course of mental disorder and medication use,and were more likely occurred inside their residences.Conclusions The psychological status of patients with mentally disordered should be intensively monitored,and their physical health should also be taken care of.

Statistical Analysis of Legal Autopsy Cases Performed in the Jeollabuk-do Province of Korea in 2016 / 대한법의학회지

This study aimed to obtain basic regional data of legal autopsy cases observed in the Jeollabuk-do province concerning causes and manner of death. We investigated 170 autopsy cases (114 males [67.0%] and 56 females [33%]) performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, in 2016. Of these, seven (4.1%) were children aged <10 years. Regarding the manner of death, there were 95 unnatural deaths (55.9%), 69 natural deaths (40.6%), and six deaths from unknown causes (3.5%). Among the 95 unnatural deaths, 29 suicides (30.5%), 10 homicides (10.5%), 52 accidental deaths (54.7%), and four undetermined deaths (4.2%) were recorded. Concerning causes of unnatural death, there were 39 traumatic injury-related deaths (41.2%), 10 asphyxiations (10.5%), 25 poisonings (26.3%), 13 thermal injury-related deaths (13.7%), and eight deaths due to drowning (8.4%). The most common cause of unnatural death was injury from falls (n=15), followed by agrochemical poisoning (n=12), traffic injury (n=12), and death from fire (n=11). Of 69 natural deaths, 31 were from cardiac diseases (44.9%), eight from cerebral or vascular diseases (11.6%), 12 from digestive system diseases (17.4%), one from respiratory system disease (1.4%), five from endocrine/metabolic/nutritional disorders (7.2%), and nine due to causes of unknown origin (including sudden manhood and sudden infant death syndromes) (13.1%).

Forensic Analysis of 25 Cases of Unnatural Death in Custody / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To screen and collect the cases of unnatural death in custody and analyze the influences and forensic characteristics.@*METHODS@#Total 25 cases of unnatural death in detainees in custody form 2000 to 2015 were collected. Some forensic characteristics such as gender, age, yearly incidence, causes of death, manner of death were analyzed. The public security custodies were also compared with the prisons.@*RESULTS@#All dead involved were male, mostly were young and middle-aged adults. It showed that the number of cases tended to decrease year by year. The incidence of the injury cases were higher in public security custodies （64.7%） than that in the prisons （12.5%）. However, there was a higher suicide rate in prisons （62.5%） than that in public security custodies （23.5%）. The mainly cause of death were injury and asphyxia, there were also some cases died from intoxication and electricity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The cases of unnatural death in custody expose some problems such as the imperfectness of law enforcement standardization, supervision loopholes and poor medical standards. A comprehensive and detailed autopsy has important implications for the identification of cause of death in custody.

Forensic Analysis of 25 Cases of Unnatural Death in Custody / 法医学杂志

ObjectiveTo screen and collect the cases of unnatural death in custody and analyze the in-fluences and forensic characteristics.MethodsTotal 25 cases of unnatural death in detainees in custody form 2000 to 2015 were collected. Some forensic characteristics such as gender, age, yearly incidence, causes of death, manner of death were analyzed. The public security custodies were also compared with the prisons.ResultsAll dead involved were male, mostly were young and middle-aged adults. It showed that the number of cases tended to decrease year by year. The incidence of the injury cases were higher in public security custodies(64.7%)than that in the prisons(12.5%). However, there was a higher sui-cide rate in prisons(62.5%)than that in public security custodies(23.5%). The mainly cause of death were injury and asphyxia, there were also some cases died from intoxication and electricity.Conclusion The cases of unnatural death in custody expose some problems such as the imperfectness of law en-forcement standardization, supervision loopholes and poor medical standards. A comprehensive and de-tailed autopsy has important implications for the identification of cause of death in custody.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy Performed in Korea during 2012 Year / 대한법의학회지

This statistical analysis of 4,709 legal autopsies performed in Korea in 2012 was conducted to obtain primary data about and related variables. The analysis revealed the following: 1. Of the total number of deaths, men accounted for and women, 26.8%. Evidently, the number of deaths among men was more than twice that among women. 2. With respect to mode of death, 54.8% were recorded as unnatural deaths, 39.2% were natural deaths, and 6.0% had unknown causes. Of the 2,581 unnatural deaths, 44.8% were accidental deaths; 27.2%, suicidal; 17.5%, homicidal; and 10.3%, undetermined. 3. Of the total number of unnatural deaths, 43.0% were trauma-related deaths, for which falling down was the leading cause, accounting for 33.5% cases. Asphyxiation was accounted for 17.2%, among which the predominant cause was hanging (55.3%). Moreover, 12.5% of deaths were due to drowning; 11.5%, poisoning; 11.2%, thermal injuries; 2.7%, complications in medical procedures; and 0.3%, electrocution, starvation, or neglect. 4. Among 1,847 natural deaths, heart diseases accounted for 50.2% and vascular diseases accounted for 16.7%. 5. There were 207 cases of deaths among children under the age of 10, of which 94 were unnatural and 49 were homicidal deaths. Of all cases, 9.2% had an unknown cause of death, and of these 67.6%, were putrefied or skeletonized bodies.

Differences in the Determination of Cause and Manner of 127 Natural Death Cases by Postmortem Inspection and Autopsy / 대한법의학회지

Medico-legal investigations in Korea depend mostly on postmortem inspection without autopsy. Both untrained physicians and experienced forensic pathologists may not be able to determine the cause and manner of death only by postmortem inspection. The aim of our study was to show the limitations of postmortem inspection by evaluating the discrepancy between the results of postmortem inspection and autopsy after natural death. The manner of death by postmortem inspection changed to unnatural death in 9.4% of the cases (12 cases/127 cases) after autopsy. The cause of death in most cases was consumption of alcohol, agricultural chemicals, and antipsychotic intoxication. The cause of death by postmortem inspection changed in 24.3% of the cases (26 cases/107 cases) among cases of confirmed natural death after autopsy. The positive predictive value of cause of death by postmortem inspection was higher for cardiovascular disease (79.0%) and lower for chronic alcoholism and/or chronic liver disease (28.6%). This study shows that forensic pathologists could make considerable errors in determining the cause and manner of death without autopsy and emphasizes the necessity to refine medico-legal investigations in Korea by introducing the limited autopsy with toxicologic study and supportive postmortem imaging.

Profi le of medicolegal autopsies in Pekanbaru, Indonesia 2007-2011

Medicolegal autopsy should be carried out for all unnatural deaths to ascertain facts pertaining to death. A retrospective 5-year study was carried out by the Forensic Medicine and Medicolegal Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Riau to describe the profi le of medicolegal autopsies in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. There were 613 unnatural deaths and 73 (11.9 %) medicolegal autopsies recorded between 2007 and 2011. The number of unnatural deaths showed a decreasing trend whereas the number of medicolegal autopsies increased over the years. The percentage of unnatural deaths subjected to medicolegal autopsy varied between 2.2 % and 23.1 % per year. Of the 73 medicolegal autopsy subjects, 68.5% (n = 50) were male and 31.5% (n = 23) females. The ages of victims ranged from newborn babies to 72 years, with a median of 28 years. 61.6 % of cases were in the 20-39 years age-group. Sixty (82.2 %) had unnatural deaths. The leading cause of death was blunt force (30.1%) and sharp force (20.5 %). Homicide was the predominant manner of death. Our study highlights that the main interest of the police in requesting a medicolegal autopsy is for investigation of homicide. Recognizing that autopsy has an important role in the investigation of unnatural deaths, further studies should be carried out to understand the factors that impact on the low percentage of medicolegal autopsies in unnatural deaths, so that solutions may be found for the future.

The Statistical Analysis of Legal Autopsies in 2011 (The Headquarters of National Forensic Service) / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis of the data obtained from legal autopsies performed at the headquarters of the National Forensic Service during 2011. This report aims to analyze 2,723 cases. 1. There were 1,995 (73.3%) cases involving mortalities among men and 707 (26.7%) among women; evidently, the number of deaths that occurred among men were twice as many as that among women. With respect to age, 694 (24.4%) deaths occurred in individuals aged in their forties and 658 (22.8%) among those in their fifties. 2. There were 1,437 (52.8%) cases of unnatural deaths, 1,159 (42.5%) cases of natural deaths, and 127 (4.7%) deaths from unknown causes. Among the 1,437 unnatural deaths, 483 (33.6%) were suicidal, 255 (17.7%) homicidal, 546 (38.0%) accidental, and 153 (10.6%) were of undetermined causes. 3. There were 618 cases of trauma-related death, accounting for 43.0% of the 1,437 unnatural deaths. Blunt trauma was the leading cause of trauma-related deaths, accounting for 174 (28.2%) cases. Deaths due to asphyxiation, among which hanging (187 cases, 64.7%) was the predominant cause, accounted for 289 cases. There were 192 (13.4%) deaths from poisoning, 151 (10.5%) from drowning, 139 (9.7%) from thermal injuries, 31 (2.2%) as a complication of medical procedures, and 14 (1.0%) from electrocutions. 4. Among the 1,159 natural deaths, heart diseases accounted for 600 (51.8%) deaths and vascular diseases accounted for 160 (13.8%) deaths. 5. There were 83 cases of death among children aged under 10; out of 33 unnatural deaths, 20 (24.1%) cases were homicidal.

Pattern of burns cases brought to morgue, Sion Hospital, Mumbai: A two year study.

The present study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital, Sion Mumbai and total 237 cases were collected for this study purpose. Female victims were most commonly affected as compared to male victims. The age group of 21-30 years 97 (40.93%) was most commonly affected followed by age group 31-40 years 54 (22.79%). The thermal burns 184 (77.63%) was most commonly noted followed by electrical burns 23 (9.71%). Married females 114 (76.51%) most common victims and most of victims survived for a period of 12 to 24 Hours 61 (25.74%). Head, face & neck 206 (86.91%) region of body was most commonly affected followed by Chest 174 (73.41%) region of body. The most of victims sustained 51 to 75% burns133 (56.12%) and most common manner of death was accidental burns 147(62.02%).

Original research paper study of unnatural deaths in females a medicolegal study at rural medical college, Loni.

The present study was undertaken in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Rural Medical College, Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Aims and objectives to study the incidences of unnatural deaths in females with special reference to “DOWRY DEATHS” in which cases medico legal autopsies was conducted. Data of total 310 cases were collected for this study purpose from police panchnama, post mortem reports and through interrogation of the parents, relatives, friends, neighbors accompanying dead body. Majority of the female deaths were in the age group 26 to 30 years (24.56%) followed by age group 21 to 25 years (21.93%). In majority of the victims burns (50%) was the common cause of death followed by poisoning (17.1%) and vehicular accidents (16.45%). Majority of the married female victims (44.19%) died within seven years of marriage.

The Statistical Analysis on the Legal Autopsy Cases in Gwang-ju and Chonnam Area of Korea in 2009 and 2010 / 대한법의학회지

Analyzing the data associated with the causes and manners of death in each region is important to make policies for the national public health, because it can be basis for prevention of future crimes and treatment of diseases. To establish regional basic data of the 245 autopsy cases performed at the department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School in 2009 and 2010, each case was statistically analyzed according to the causes of death and the manners of death. The results are as follows; 1) the total number of legal autopsy was 245 (178 males and 67 females). The number of the 5th decade (64 cases) and the 6th decade (51 cases) occupied near 50 percent (46.9%) of total cases. 2) unnatural deaths were 154 cases (62.9%), and natural deaths were 91 cases (37.1%). In 154 cases of unnatural deaths, suicides were 27 cases (11.0%), homicides were 52 cases (21.2%), accidental deaths were 43 cases (17.6%), and undetermined deaths were 32 cases (13.1%). 3) Among 91 natural deaths, deaths of cardiac origin were 57 cases (62.6%) and it was a leading cause of death in natural deaths. Deaths due to disease of cerebral vascular system were 11 cases (12.1%), deaths due to respiratory system were 9 cases (9.9%). 4) Child deaths under the age of 10 were 9 cases (3.6%). Four cases were homicide, 2 cases were accident, and 3 cases were natural deaths. Conclusively, in these area victims between thirties and forties are taking the most proportion, unnatural deaths are more than natural deaths. In unnatural deaths, the order of frequency is homicide, accidental death, suicide, in natural death, neurocardiovacular disease is predominant.

Asphyxial Death Using Plastic Bag / 대한법의학회지

Asphyxia due to plastic bag is not common. The manner of death may be accidental, suicidal or homicidal. We report an asphyxial death using plastic bag, giving us difficulty in determining the manner of death, suicidal or homicidal. A 32-year-old female was found dead in bathroom and her head was wrapped in a supermarket shopping bag sealed with adhesive tape around the neck. Strangely she was handcuffed behind the back of the victim. Because of no evidence of violence on the body and the presence of a suicide note at the scene, the manner of death was concluded as suicide. This case emphasizes that the interpretation of postmortem examination should be incorporated with the proper investigation of circumstances at the scene of death to determine the manner of death.

The Statistical Analysis on the Legal Autopsy Cases in Gwang-ju and Chonnam Area of Korea in 2007 and 2008 / 대한법의학회지

The overall data associated with the causes and the manners of death of individuals are necessary to make policies for the public health or judicial system in the society. To obtain basic data of the causes and the manners of death, the 206 autopsy cases performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School in 2007 and 2008 were statistically analyzed according to the cause of death and the manner of death. The results are as follows ; 1. The total number of forensic-legal autopsy was 206 (139 males and 67 females). The number of the 5th decade (58 cases) and the 6th decade (54 cases) occupied over 50 percent (54.4%) of total cases. 2. Unnatural deaths were 127 cases (61.7%), and natural deaths were 79 cases (38.3%). Of 127 cases of unnatural deaths, suicides were 33 cases (26.0%), homicides were 46 cases (36.2%), accidental deaths were 37 cases (29.1%), and undetermined deaths were 11 cases (8.7%). 3. Among 79 natural deaths, deaths of cardiac origin were 46 cases (58.2%) and it was a leading cause of death in natural deaths. Deaths due to disease of vascular system were 10 cases (12.7%), deaths due to respiratory system were 8 cases (10.1%), deaths due to digestive system were 6 cases (7.6%), and other causes were 10 cases (12.4%). 4. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 8 cases (3.9%). Three cases were homicide, 3 cases were accident, and 2 cases were natural deaths.

Defect in Post-mortem Examination System Reviewed by the Realities of Death Certificate Issuing / 대한법의학회지

Death certificate is one of the most important medical documents for public health surveillance and it serves a tool for national health statistics. The authors analyzed 125 cases of death certificate for suspicious death from 276 medico-legal autopsy cases. When compared to autopsy results, almost all death certificates were inaccurate and inadequate for estimation of cause of death and manner of death. To decide a man's cause of death or manner of death is not easy job, even though for forensic pathologist after completing dissection and toxicological analysis. The authors think that inadequate death certificate is originated from insufficient medical education system and imperfect postmortem examination system. It may cause covering up the serious crime. The authors assert to reform the issuing system of death certificate, especially separation of death certification by attending physician and certification for death on arrival cases. The summary of present study is as follows ; 1. 52 cases (41.6%) did not follow the new form of death certificate ruled by law. 2. 66 cases (52.8%) were undetermined on the manner of death in death certificate, 3. Matching rate of cause of death and manner of death between death certificate and autopsy result was 56.8% (71 cases) and 36.8% (46 cases), respectively. 4. There were many critical or trivial faults in writing of death certificate, for example omission of direct cause of death or manner of death determination or serial number, etc.