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.

Intoxicación por cianuro como método suicida: reporte de caso / Cyanide poisoning as a suicide method: case report

Resumen Las intoxicaciones derivan de la presencia en el organismo de un tóxico o veneno, la muerte por intoxicación es una muerte violenta y por tanto requiere de la realización de una autopsia medico legal, la misma puede darse en el contexto de una exposición accidental ya sea en el hogar o laboral o sucitada por un intento de autoeliminación. La intoxicación por cianuro puede ser intencional (suicidio u homicidio) o accidental, los hallazgos en la autopsia medico legal son inespecíficos por lo que son importantes los datos aportados en el informe sobre muerte en investigación, el informe del escenario de muerte en caso de que un médico forense se hiciera presente al mismo y el resultado de los análisis toxicológicos, los cuales actualmente no se realizan en la sección de toxicología del poder judicial. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en diferentes bases de datos, de los artículos publicados referentes al tema de los últimos cinco años, con el objetivo de revisar las caracteristicas del químico, el metabolismo y la intoxicación como tal, tanto por sus secuelas como por sus implicaciones letales. Se concluye que para mejorar la pericia médico legal ante casos de intoxicacion por cianuro es fundamental conocer el mecanismo de acción y los posibles hallazgos presentes tanto al examen externo como interno, así como implementar que dicho escrutinio se incluya dentro del listado de sustancias a analizar.

Abstract Poisoning derives from the presence of a toxic substance or poison in the body, death by poisoning is a violent death and requires a legal medical autopsy, it may occur in the context of an accidental exposure at home or work, or caused by an attempt of self-elimination. Cyanide poisoning can be intentional (suicide / homicide) or accidental, the findings in the autopsy are unspecific, so data provided in the report of death in investigation, the report of the death scene (in case a forensic doctor was present) and the result of the toxicological analyzes, which are not currently performed in the toxicology section of the judiciary, are important. A bibliographic review was carried out in different databases of articles published in the last five years on the subject, with the objective of reviewing the chemical characteristics, the metabolism and the intoxication, as well, including their sequels and lethal implications. It is concluded that to improve the medical legal expertise in cases of cyanide poisoning, it is essential to know the mechanism of action and the possible findings in the external and internal examination; and to implement such scrutiny in the list of substances to be analyzed.

Medico-legal autopsies of homicidal deaths: A five-year retrospective study in Hospital Sungai Bul

@#Introduction: Homicide is the act of killing one human being by another, encompassing death as a result of criminal act including justifiable homicide such as judicial killing and self-defence. This study aimed to ascertain the epidemiology and patterns of injury of homicide victims. Materials and Methods: We reviewed records of medico-legal autopsy cases performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh, for a period of five years, from January 2012 until December 2016. Subjects’ demographic data such as age, gender, nationality, ethnicity and cause of death were recorded. Results: A total of 122 homicide cases were documented. 90% of the victims were 18 to 65 years old. Males contributed 80% of the subjects. An alarming 42% of the subjects comprised of non-Malaysians. Indonesian subjects contributed one-third of the non-citizen category, followed by Bangladeshis at 20.4%. Other nationalities were Burmese, Nepalese, Pakistani, Vietnamese and unspecified. Among Malaysians, 50% of the subjects were Indians, followed by Malay (31.5%) and Chinese (17.8%). Sharp and blunt force traumas were the most common injuries found, contributing 33% and 32% respectively. Asphyxiation and firearm injuries recorded an almost similar frequency, contributing 25% in combination. Other patterns included combined sharp and blunt objects (4.9%) and burns (3%). Conclusions: A large number of immigrants in the country have significantly increased the forensic casework. Sharp and blunt objects continue to be the weapon of choice due to its easy accessibility. As domestic violence including fatal spousal and child abuse continue to rise, in-depth study in the area is warranted. Keywords: h

Association of coronary artery calcium score with calcification and degree of stenosis: An autopsy study

@#Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a known cause of major cardiovascular events and calcium score (CS) has been developed as a marker of coronary atherosclerosis. Yet, the relationship between post mortem computed tomography (PMCT) CS with histologically observed calcification and the severity of coronary artery stenosis has not been widely explored and is still unclear. This study aims to determine the association between coronary artery PMCT CS with histologically observed calcification and degree of stenosis of coronary arteries in post-mortem cases. Materials & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 101 subjects recruited from the National Institute of Forensic Medicine (IPFN) Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) over a period of 15 months, from December 2012 until April 2014. PMCT CS of the coronary arteries was calculated using Agatston-Janowitz score. Histological presence of calcification was observed and the degree of stenosis was calculated using an image analysis technique. Results: PMCT CS increased with increasing severity of stenosis (p<0.001). PMCT CS showed a positive correlation with the presence of calcification (r=-0.82, p<0.001). Conclusion: Calcium score is strongly associated with coronary artery calcification and the degree of luminal stenosis in post mortem subjects. Thus, PMCT may be useful as a non-invasive tool in diagnosing CAD in the event that an autopsy is not possible.

Pathological autopsy: Most valuable aid in the present medical and medico-legal scenario.

It is a fact that the advancements in medicine would not have been possible without the help of autopsies, may be pathological or clinical or medico-legal. Mankind has been immensely benefited by the autopsies all these years. With the changing disease patterns, re emerging diseases, environment and social system, autopsies have become more necessary and relevant than before. The objectives of an autopsy examination are not being achieved at the highest level due to under trained medical officers who handle more than 80% of autopsy work in India and also due to the unwillingness or inertia of pathologists or clinicians to perform the autopsies. Here the in this article we try to highlight the contributions of pathological autopsies to the medical sciences & our social system. We also discuss why there is urgent need for more and well organized clinical or pathological autopsies through out the nation.

Correlation of Alcohol intake with Suicide in Cases confirmed by Legal autopsy / 대한법의학회지

The purpose of this study is to provide a fundamental basis for defining measures to prevent suicide by specifically examining the relationship between suicide and alcohol consumption, which is thought to be a key factor in suicide. This study reviewed 426 suicide autopsies diagnosed by the department of forensic medicine, National Forensic Service (2007-2009) and analyzed the preliminary data on variables such as gender, age, and cause of death, with particular focus on the relationship between these variables and blood alcohol concentration. The relationship between each variable and alcohol consumption was as follows. First, alcohol was present in 48.4% of suicides. Second, blood alcohol concentration wrere twice as high in women as in men. Third, the relationship between suicide and alcohol consumption was greater in people in their 30s and 40s. The correlation between suicide and alcohol intake was evident this age group. These results are more specific and practical than the results of previous studies on the correlation between suicide and alcohol intake. The results of this study will help define measures to facilitate suicide prevention as an important reference and may eventually help lower the suicide rate in Korea.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2010 (The headquarters of National Forensic Service) / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Forensic Service (NFS), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2010. NFS is located in Seoul, Korea and has four branches throughout the country. The Seoul NFS covers all legal autopsies in Seoul, Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyze various aspects of 2,425 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 1,777 cases (73.3%) and that of female 648 (26.7%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 592 cases (24.4%), the fifties 552 (22.8%), and these two decades occupied 47.2%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,377 cases (56.8%), natural 875 (36.1%), and the unknown 173 (7.1%). Among 1,377 unnatural deaths, suicide was 411 (29.8%), homicide 260 (18.9%, accident 417 (30.3%), and the undetermined 289 (21.0%). Homicide occupied 34.7% of trauma, 61.2% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 81.4% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 23.9%, but it went up to 60.9% excluding hanging. It showed only 1.3% of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 536 cases, occupying 38.9% of 1,377 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning. Blunt trauma was 138 cases (25.0%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 245 cases, among which the alcohols were dominant (54 cases). Thermal injuries were 119 cases, electrocution 10 cases, and starvation/neglect 2 cases. and 48 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 875 natural deaths, heart diseases were 583 cases (66.6%), and vascular diseases 64 (7.3%), and these two categories were added up to 647 (73.9%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 102 cases. Homicide was 25 cases (65.8%) out of 38 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 73 cases (71.6%).

A Statistical Aanalysis on Legal Autopsy in Jeonbuk Province in 2009 / 대한법의학회지

This statistical analysis was based on the cause and manner of death on 149 cases of legal autopsy performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, referred by law enforcement agencies in Jeonbuk in 2009. Among the total 149 cases, male was 93 cases (62.4%), and female 56 cases (37.6%). The age of forties were 52 cases (34.9%), the fifties 22 cases (14.8%) and sixties 22 cases (14.8%), and these three decades occupied 96 cases (64.5%) more than half. By the manner of death, there were 105 cases of unnatural deaths (70.5%), 37 natural deaths (24.8%), and 7 unknown (4.7%). Among unnatural deaths, there were 30 cases of suicide (28.6%), 21 homicide (20.0%), 43 accident (41.0%), and 11 undetermined (10.5%). By the case of death, unnatural deaths was classified as 48 cases of traumatic deaths (45.7%), 19 asphyxia (18.1%), 15 thermal injuries (14.3%), 15 drowning (14.3%), 8 poisoning (7.6%). Among 37 natural deaths, there were 14 cases of cardiac diseases (37.8%), 10 diseases involving vascular system (27.0%), and 3 diseases involving digestive system (8.1%).

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.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2006 (The Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation) / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2006. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 2,515 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 1,788 cases(71.1%) and that of female 727(28.9%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 709 cases(28.2%), the fifties 496(19.7%), and these two decades occupied 47.9%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,437 cases(57.1%), natural 955(38.0%), and the unknown 123(4.9%). Among 1,437 unnatural deaths, suicide was 366(25.5%), homicide 387(26.9%), accident 392(27.3%), and the unclear 292(20.3%). Homicide occupied 40.4% of trauma, 51.9% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 91.2% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 33.2%, but it went up to 71.4% excluding hanging. It showed only 1.3% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 681 cases, occupying 47.4% of 1,437 unnatural deaths, followed by drowning deaths(199 cases). Blunt trauma was 206 cases(30.2%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 158 cases, among which the cyanides were dominant(37cases). Thermal injuries were 144 cases, electrocution 14 cases, and starvation/neglect 21 cases. and 17 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 955 natural deaths, heart diseases were 495 cases(51.8%), and vascular diseases 165(17.3%), and these two categories were added up to 660(69.1%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 118 cases. Homicide was 35 cases(57.4%) out of 61 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 45 cases(38.1%)

Síndrome de la niña y el niño sacudidos: hallazgos anatomoclínicos / Shaken baby syndrome: anatomoclinic features

El síndrome del niño sacudido es una de las formas más severas de maltrato infantil que ocurre principalmente en niños menores de un año. Por la vulnerabilidad de las víctimas y por las secuelas que puede producir, incluyendo la muerte, es necesario, en el abordaje clínico, tener presente la sospecha diagnóstica ante lesiones de explicación insatisfactoria por parte de los encargados del menor. Asimismo si se trata de un abordaje médico legal deben tenerse las consideraciones necesarias para documentar las lesiones, tanto en el paciente vivo, como en los casos de homicidio, para colaborar con la administración de justicia. Para ello se debe tratar de implementar una metodología homogénea para la realización de dichas pericias, tanto en la parte clínica como patológico forense. En este artículo se describe la forma habitual de presentación clínica del síndrome del niño sacudido y se expone una guía básica para la realización de autopsias medico legales en casos de muertes por esta causa.

The shaken baby syndrome is one of the most severe presentations of child abuse that is seen in children especially under the first year of age. The great vulnerability of this group of patients and the serious consequences that they may encounter in the future, including death, are enough reason to inquire, during the clinical approach, about the possibility that the patient being attended may be a victim of physical abuse. From a medico-legal evaluation, it is pertinent to document and describe thoroughly the physical lesions in the living patient and in cases of homicide, in order to contribute scientifically in the administration of justice. For that reason it is essential to follow a uniform methodology in the management of both the clinical and the forensic assessment. This article reviews the usual clinical presentation of the shaken baby syndrome and proposes a basic guide to evaluate the autopsies in cases of deaths originated by this cause.

A Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2005 (The Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation) / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation (NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2005. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 2,851 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,007 cases (70.4%) and that of female 844 (29.6%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 807 cases (28.3%), the thirties 573 (20.1%), and these two decades occupied 48.4%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,716 cases (60.2%), natural 1011 (35.5%), and the unknown 124 (4.3%). Among 1,716 unnatural deaths, suicide was 497 (29.0%), homicide 426 (24.9%), accident 510 (29.6%), and the unclear 283 (16.5%). Homicide occupied 42.0% of trauma, 75.6% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 85.5% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.1%, but it went up to 60.1% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 716 cases, occupying 41.7% of 1,716 unnatural deaths, followed by asphyxial deaths(296 cases). Blunt trauma was 205 cases (28.6%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 229 cases, among which the ethanols were dominant (58cases). Thermal injuries were 198 cases, electrocution 20 cases, and starvation/neglect 14 cases. and 18 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 1,011 natural deaths, heart diseases were 481 cases (47.6%), and vascular diseases 193 (19.1%), and these two categories were added up to 674 (66.7%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 129 cases. Homicide was 40 cases (62.5%) out of 64 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 41 cases(31.8%)

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2004 (The Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation) / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2004. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 3,051 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,214 cases(73%) and that of female 837(27%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 899 cases(29.5%), the thirties 561(18.4%), and these two decades occupied 47.9%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,816 cases(59.5%), natural 1,104(36.2%), and the unknown 131(4.3%). Among 1,816 unnatural deaths, suicide was 513(28.2%), homicide 414(22.8%), accident 505(27.8%), and the unclear 384(21.2%). Homicide occupied 38.4% of trauma, 62.9% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 82.7% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.1%, but it went up to 67.7% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 779 cases, occupying 42.9% of 1,816 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning deaths(286 cases) and asphyxial deaths(283 cases). Blunt trauma was 240 cases(30.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 286 cases, among which the ethanols were dominant( 76cases). Thermal injuries were 162 cases, electrocution 27 cases, and starvation/neglect 7 cases and 17 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 1,104 natural deaths, heart diseases were 522 cases(47.3%), and vascular diseases 182(16.5%), and these two categories were added up to 704(63.8%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 147 cases. Homicide was 31 cases(51.7%) out of 60 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 48 cases(32.7%).

Selection of Autopsy Method Depending on Situation / 대한법의학회지

Traditionally autopsy has been classified as legal autopsy and pathology autopsy. For this classification, the purpose of the autopsy was the criteria. That is under what condition autopsy was performed decided the nature of the autopsy. From the point of MD who actually perform the autopsy, there seems little difference between legal and pathology autopsy. Our society expands as time goes on, and it has become more complex. With this there have been many situations that does not coincide with the conventional way of thinking. Under these circumstances there have been some situations that conventional way for the autopsy classification bears problem. System for the postmortem investigation in Korea are deeply linked with these. Authors report these cases with the review of our postmortem investigation system and discuss what MD can do right now.

A Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in Chung-cheong Area of Korea in 2004: The Central District of National Institute of Scientific Investigation / 대한법의학회지

We reviewed forensic autopsies and scene examinations performed at Central District of National Institute of Scientific Investigation, requested by every kinds of law enforecement agencies in Chungcheong area of Korea during the year of 2004, and analysed the data of forensic autopsies and scene examinations according to the cause of death and the manner of death. The results are as follows ; 1. Scene examination on the spot was performed in 49 cases ; Among these cases, 36 cases(73.5%) were unnatural deaths and the most common cause of death was trauma(20 cases). Autopy was performed in 23 cases(46.9%). 2. The total number of forensic autopsy were 643 cases(437 males and 206 females). The number of the forties(156 cases) and the thirties(114 cases) occupied almost half(42.0%) of all cases of autopsy. 3. Unnatural deaths were 448 cases(69.7%), natural 169 cases(26.3%), and the unknown 26 cases(4.0%). In 448 cases of unnatural deaths, suicide was 133 cases(29.7%), homicide 180 cases(40.2%), accident 86 cases(19.2%), and the undetermined 49 cases(10.9%). Homicide occupied 70.2% of trauma, 65.2% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 83.6% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 35.8%. It showed no case of homicide in poisoning. 4. In 448 cases of unnatural deaths, traumatic deaths were 198 cases(44.2%). Blunt trauma was 61 cases(30.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Of remaining 250 cases of unnatural deaths, there were 67 cases(14.2%) of asphyxia, 63 cases(14.1%) of thermal injuries, 59 cases(13.2%) of drowning, 49 cases(10.9%) of poisoning, and 10 cases(2.2%) of medical procedures. 5. Among 169 natural deaths, cardiac diseases were 98 cases(56.0%) and the leading cause of death in natural deaths. 29 cases(17.2%) of diseases involving digestive system and 26 cases(15.4%) of disease involving vascular system were followed. 6. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 35 cases. Among these cases, unnatural deaths were 21 cases(60.0%) and most of them were homicide and accident.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2003: The Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation (NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2003. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 3,167 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,311 cases (73%) and that of female 856 (27%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 838 cases (26.5%), the thirties 700 (22.1%), and these two decades occupied 48.6%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,941 cases (61.3%), natural 1,133 (35.8%), and the unknown 93 (2.9%). Among 1,941 unnatural deaths, suicide was 522 (26.9%), homicide 457 (23.5%), accident 576 (29.7%), and the unclear 386 (19.9%). Homicide occupied 37.1% of trauma, 57.4% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 81.9% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 35.5%, but it went up to 69.6% excluding hanging. It showed only 1.0% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 902 cases, occupying 46.5% of 1,941 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning deaths (289 cases) and asphyxial deaths (286 cases). Blunt trauma was 324 cases (35.9%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 289 cases, among which the ethanols were dominant (99cases). Thermal injuries were 192 cases, electrocution 24 cases, and starvation/neglect 11 cases. and 15 cases were directly due to medical procedures.4. Among 1,133 natural deaths, heart diseases were 490 cases (43.2%), and vascular diseases 210 (18.5%), and these two categories were added up to 700 (61.7%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 135 cases. Homicide was 42 cases (63.6%) out of 60 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 52 cases (38.5%).

A Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in Chung-cheong Area of Korea in 2003: The Central District of National Institute of Scientific Investigation / 대한법의학회지

We reviewed forensic autopsies and scene examinations performed at Central District of National Institute of Scientific Investigation, requested by every kinds of law enforcement agencies in Chung-cheong area of Korea during the year of 2003, and analysed the data of forensic autopsies and scene examinations according to the cause of death and the manner of death. The results are as follows ; 1. Scene investigation on the spot was performed in 220 cases ; Among these cases, 161 cases (73.2%) were unnatural deaths and the most common cause of death was trauma (61 cases). Autopy was per-formed in 93 cases (42.3%). 2. The total number of forensic autopsy were 685 cases (452 males and 233 females). The number of the forties (215 cases) and the thirties (124 cases) occupied almost half (49.5%) of all cases of autopsy. 3. Unnatural deaths were 434 cases (63.3%), natural 204 cases (29.8%), and the unknown 47 cases (6.9%). In 434 cases of unnatural deaths, suicide was 84 cases (19.3%), homicide 115 cases (26.5%), acci-dent 186 cases (42.9%), and the undetermined 49 cases (11.3%). Homicide occupied 43.7% of trauma, 77.1% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall down injury, and 97.7% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 35.0%. It showed only 1 cases (1.9%) of homicide in poisoning. 4. In 434 cases of unnatural deaths, traumatic deaths were 229 cases (52.8%). Blunt trauma was 70 cases (30.6%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Of remaining 205 cases of unnatural deaths, there were 52 cases (12.0%) of poisonings, 51 cases (11.8%) of thermal injuries, 41 cases (9.4%) of drowning, 40 cases (9.2%) of asphyxia, 19 cases (4.4%) of medical procedures, and 2 cases (0.5%) of electrocution. 5. Among 204 natural deaths, cardiovascular diseases were 106 cases (52.0%) and the leading cause of death in natural deaths. 36 cases (17.6%) of diseases involving vascular system were followed. 6. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 32 cases. Among these cases, unnatural deaths were 14 cases (43.8%) and most of them were accident.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2002: The Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2002. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 3,045 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,199 cases (72.2%) and that of female 846 (27.8%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 766 cases (25.2%), the thirties 692 (22.7%), and these two decades occupied 47.9%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,810 cases (59.5%), natural 1082 (35.5%), and the unknown 153 (5.0%). Among 1,810 unnatural deaths, suicide was 416 (23.0%), homicide 394 (21.8%), accident 592 (32.7%), and the unclear 408 (22.5%). Homicide occupied 33.3% of trauma, 49.3% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 88.2% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.7%,but it went up to 59.2% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 867 cases, occupying 47,9% of 1,810 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning deaths (269 cases). Blunt trauma was 284 cases (32.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 269 cases, among which the agrochemicals were dominant (64cases). Thermal injuries were 193 cases, electrocution 16 cases, and starvation/neglect 9 cases. and 17 cases were directly due to medical procedures.4. Among 1,082 natural deaths, heart diseases were 450 cases (41.6%), and vascular diseases 186 (17.2%), and these two categories were added up to 636 (58.8%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 179 cases. Homicide was 35 cases (37.2%) out of 94 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 48 cases (26.8%)

An Analysis on Legal Autopsy Under 1Year of Age / 대한법의학회지

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies under 1 year of age performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation, requested from law enforcement agencies from 1996 to 2000. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 530 unusual deaths under 1 year of age in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Male was 55.8% and female was 44.2%. Unnatural deaths were 39.6%, natural 53.4%, and the unknown 7.0%. Homicide occupied 66.7% in unnatural death and asphyxia was 41.4%, starvation and neglect 35.0%, and trauma 20.7% in homicide. Smothering was the leading cause of asphyxial homicide and accidental death. Natural death including perinatal disorders, sudden infant death syndrome and congenital malformations was the main cause of death in this age group.

Pulmonary Thromboembolsm in Legal Autopsy / 대한법의학회지

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a significant cause of death in the hospitalized patient in the western and developed countries. The development of PTE and venous thrombi is associated with many and various factors, including that physicians fail to provide adequate prophylaxis to the high risk patients. The authors studied 74 legal autopsy cases performed from 1996 to 2000 at the Headquarters of National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Seoul, Korea. We learned that ceasarian section was the most common precedong trauma in PTE death in legal cases. Excluding Ceasarian section cases, major mechanical injuries, male gender and aging were common factors associated with PTE. Obesity was a common factor in all kinds of trauma. Deep vein thrombi were documented in majority cases and ambulation was a critical triggering cause for the thrombi making PTE. Clinical diagnosis was not so satisfactory.