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%).

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%)

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%).

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%).

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.

The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in 2001: 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 2001. 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 2,807 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,043 cases (72.8%) and that of female 764 (27.2%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 723 cases (25.8%), the thirties 641 (22.8%), and these two decades occupied 48.6%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,690 cases (60.2%), natural 1020 (36.3%), and the unknown 97 (3.5%). Among 1,690 unnatural deaths, suicide was 415 (24.6%), homicide 418 (24.7%), accident 505 (29.9%), and the unclear 352 (20.8%). Homicide occupied 37.1% of trauma, 44.1% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 83.5% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 32.5%, but it went up to 62.7% excluding hanging. It showed only 1.0% of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 825 cases, occupying 48,8% of 1,690 unnatural deaths, followed by asphyxial death (249 cases). Blunt trauma was 295 cases (35.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 213 cases, among which the agrochemicals were dominant (68 cases). Thermal injuries were 193 cases, electrocution 31 cases, and starvation/neglect 10 cases. 36 cases were direct- 4. Among 1,020 natural deaths, heart diseases were 398 cases (39.0%), and vascular diseases 145 (14.2%), and these two categories were added up to 543 (53.2%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 194 cases. Homicide was 43 cases (48.9%) out of 88 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 64 cases(33.0%).

The Duty of Medicine Doctor to Notify the Unusual Death / 대한법의학회지

The medical doctors are obliged to notify the police the unusual death. The manner of death and the cause of death is determined by clinical aspect but the unusual death is determined by legal aspect, so forensic investigation is need to determine the unusual death. The unusual death is the one which occurred in doubt of crime, so if the specific disease could not explain the course of death or the external force would influence the course of disease, which should be regarded as the unusual death. the suicide in which accessory is involved should be regarded as unusual death. The sudden death syndrome should be regard as the unusual death. The death due to the primary shock, anorexia nervosa, to refuse the treatment against medical advice could be regarded as unusual death. The medical doctor should be regarded as to fulfill his duty when he notifies the police which have the jurisdiction over his hospital.

An Analysis of Medicolegal Autopsies in Cheju National University, School of Medicine, 1998-1999 / 대한법의학회지

The aim of this study was to reveal the current status of forensic practice in Cheju. The range of subjects was limited to deaths autopsied in Cheju National University during the years of 1998 through 1999. All subjects were reviewed with respect to age, sex, cause of death and manner of death. The total number of deaths was 100, of these 85 cases were males and 15 were females. In age distribution, the age group of 30-39 occupied the highest proportion(25.0%). According to the manner of death, the cases of violent deaths were 78, natural deaths 20, and unknown cases 2. For the violent deaths, the percentage of accidental death was 30.8 and homicide 25.6, suicide 18.0, undetermined cases 25.6. According to the cause of death, asphyxia was the most common (35%), followed by injury(31%) and disease(20%). Among 35 deaths of asphyxia, 24(68.8%) were deaths due to drowning. Medicolegal scene investigation was done in 16 cases. Two cases remained as deaths of unknown cause because of severe decomposition