Defining and Explaining Serial Murders in the United States / 대한법의학회지

Serial murder cases in the United States, due to the fact they are rare in numbers and each case has complex nature of the crime, have presented challenges to law enforcement officers and investigators. Academic scholars also have faced obstacles explaining causes of murder within a specific theoretical framework. A steadily rising number of serial murders in recent years prompted this paper to examine the nature of serial murders and their causes in search of answers to questions of ‘who they are’ and ‘why they commit such crimes’ Reviewing research studies on serial murder and/or empirical tests of typology of serial murder provided a mixed results and presented a difficulty of classifying serial murders into mutually exclusive categories.

Defining and Explaining Serial Murders in the United States / 대한법의학회지

Serial murder cases in the United States, due to the fact they are rare in numbers and each case has complex nature of the crime, have presented challenges to law enforcement officers and investigators. Academic scholars also have faced obstacles explaining causes of murder within a specific theoretical framework. A steadily rising number of serial murders in recent years prompted this paper to examine the nature of serial murders and their causes in search of answers to questions of ‘who they are’ and ‘why they commit such crimes’ Reviewing research studies on serial murder and/or empirical tests of typology of serial murder provided a mixed results and presented a difficulty of classifying serial murders into mutually exclusive categories.

Defining and Explaining Serial Murders in the United States / 대한법의학회지

Serial murder cases in the United States, due to the fact they are rare in numbers and each case has complex nature of the crime, have presented challenges to law enforcement officers and investigators. Academic scholars also have faced obstacles explaining causes of murder within a specific theoretical framework. A steadily rising number of serial murders in recent years prompted this paper to examine the nature of serial murders and their causes in search of answers to questions of ‘who they are’ and ‘why they commit such crimes’ Reviewing research studies on serial murder and/or empirical tests of typology of serial murder provided a mixed results and presented a difficulty of classifying serial murders into mutually exclusive categories.

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.

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.

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2017 / 대한법의학회지

Statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea, with the exception of Ulsan, during 2017. A total of 8,777 cases were categorized based on the region; information was provided by the Police Agency and the Coast Guard regarding sex, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 3,971 cases (45.2%) were unnatural deaths, 3,679 cases (41.9%) were natural deaths, and 1,127 cases (12.8%) were unknown deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cases (1,740 cases, 43.8%) were accidents, 1,316 cases (33.1%) were suicide, 385 cases (9.7%) were homicide, and 530 cases (13.3%) were undetermined deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cases (1,575 cases, 39.7%) were trauma, followed by 793 cases (20.0%) of poisoning and 689 cases (17.4%) of asphyxia. Falling down was the major cause of death by trauma (737 cases, 46.8%). As a result of the classification of asphyxia based on previous study, strangulation was the major cause, with 538 cases (78.1%). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (1,790 cases, 48.7%), followed by vascular disease (697 cases, 18.9%).

Death due to Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis: An Autopsy Case / 대한법의학회지

Aspergillus infection is the most common cause of death due to fungi in immunocompromised hosts. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is an uncommon but severe form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which is limited entirely or mainly to the tracheobronchial tree and can often be life-threatening. We report a case of a 54-year-old man who died from Aspergillus tracheobronchitis without an underlying disease. Autopsy revealed an extensive yellowish plaque adhering to the trachea and bronchial wall. The microscopic examination of the trachea and bronchus revealed septate branching hyphae of Aspergillus.

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2016 / 대한법의학회지

A statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea during 2016 to overcome regional limitations and limitations from the number of unusual deaths as reported in the literature over the previous year. A total of 8,335 cases were categorized based on the region, based on requests by the Police Agency and the Coast Guard, gender, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 4,028 cases (48.3%) were of unnatural death, 3,447 cases (41.4%) were of natural death, and 860 cases (10.3%) were of unknown death. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the manner of deaths (1,584 cases, 39.3%) was accidents, 1,378 cases (34.2%) were suicides, 428 cases (10.6%) were homicides, and 638 cases (15.8%) were undetermined deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cause of deaths (1,518 cases, 37.7%) was due to trauma, followed by 827 cases (20.5%) of poisoning and 732 cases (18.2%) of asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (668 cases, 44.0%). Based on a previous study about asphyxia, strangulation was the major cause, with 569 cases (77.7%). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (1,727 cases, 50.1%), followed by vascular disease (587 cases, 17.0%).

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2017 / 대한법의학회지

Statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea, with the exception of Ulsan, during 2017. A total of 8,777 cases were categorized based on the region; information was provided by the Police Agency and the Coast Guard regarding sex, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 3,971 cases (45.2%) were unnatural deaths, 3,679 cases (41.9%) were natural deaths, and 1,127 cases (12.8%) were unknown deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cases (1,740 cases, 43.8%) were accidents, 1,316 cases (33.1%) were suicide, 385 cases (9.7%) were homicide, and 530 cases (13.3%) were undetermined deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cases (1,575 cases, 39.7%) were trauma, followed by 793 cases (20.0%) of poisoning and 689 cases (17.4%) of asphyxia. Falling down was the major cause of death by trauma (737 cases, 46.8%). As a result of the classification of asphyxia based on previous study, strangulation was the major cause, with 538 cases (78.1%). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (1,790 cases, 48.7%), followed by vascular disease (697 cases, 18.9%).

Death due to Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis: An Autopsy Case / 대한법의학회지

Aspergillus infection is the most common cause of death due to fungi in immunocompromised hosts. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is an uncommon but severe form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which is limited entirely or mainly to the tracheobronchial tree and can often be life-threatening. We report a case of a 54-year-old man who died from Aspergillus tracheobronchitis without an underlying disease. Autopsy revealed an extensive yellowish plaque adhering to the trachea and bronchial wall. The microscopic examination of the trachea and bronchus revealed septate branching hyphae of Aspergillus.

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2016 / 대한법의학회지

A statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea during 2016 to overcome regional limitations and limitations from the number of unusual deaths as reported in the literature over the previous year. A total of 8,335 cases were categorized based on the region, based on requests by the Police Agency and the Coast Guard, gender, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 4,028 cases (48.3%) were of unnatural death, 3,447 cases (41.4%) were of natural death, and 860 cases (10.3%) were of unknown death. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the manner of deaths (1,584 cases, 39.3%) was accidents, 1,378 cases (34.2%) were suicides, 428 cases (10.6%) were homicides, and 638 cases (15.8%) were undetermined deaths. Among the unnatural deaths, the majority of the cause of deaths (1,518 cases, 37.7%) was due to trauma, followed by 827 cases (20.5%) of poisoning and 732 cases (18.2%) of asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (668 cases, 44.0%). Based on a previous study about asphyxia, strangulation was the major cause, with 569 cases (77.7%). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (1,727 cases, 50.1%), followed by vascular disease (587 cases, 17.0%).

The Statistical Analysis on the Postmortem Inspection Cases of National Forensic Service Seoul Institute in 2015 / 대한법의학회지

Since March 1, 2015, the National Forensic Service Seoul Institute has commenced postmortem inspections at the death scene in agreement with the Korean National Police Agency. Included regions were mainly Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Wide Area 8 (Gangseo, Yangcheon, Guro police stations), and several other areas. In total, 837 postmortem inspection cases from March 1 to December 31, 2015, were analyzed statistically. Of these, 168 were autopsy cases, and the rates were 20% (67 cases) in Gangseo Police, 14.5% (30 cases) in Yangcheon Police, and 22% (57 cases) in Guro Police stations. For 269 cases of “unknown cause of death”, the autopsy rates were 44% in Gangseo Police, 36% in Yangcheon Police, and 47% in Guro Police stations. For 82 cases of fall from height, autopsy rates were 17% (n=14). Of the 133 cases of hanging, 121 cases were classified as suicide at the scene with a 2.5% (n=3) autopsy rate. Twelve cases were classified as an undetermined manner of death at the scene with a 33% (n=4) autopsy rate. The distribution of the “manner of death” was natural death for 29% (n=250), unnatural death for 38% (n=318), and other and undetermined manner of death for 32% (n=269) of cases. Proportions of dispatch times were 49.2% (412 cases) during work hours (09:00-18:00), 15.7% (n=131) during evening hours (18:00-21:00), 13% (n=110) at night (21:00-24:00), 10% (n=88) at dawn (24:00-06:00), and 11% (n=96) during morning hours (06:00-09:00). The male to female sex ratio was 1.96:1 (556:281). These statistics are valuable for evaluation of postmortem inspections by experts.

The Statistical Analysis on the Postmortem Inspection Cases of National Forensic Service Seoul Institute in 2016 / 대한법의학회지

From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, a total of 1147 postmortem inspection cases in Area 8, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (Gangseo, Yangcheon, and Guro police stations) were statistically analyzed. Autopsies were performed in 205 cases (17.9%), and the autopsy rates were 17.6% (75/426 cases) in the Gangseo police station, 9.5% (34/357 cases) in the Yangcheon police station, and 24.3% (82/337 cases) in the Guro police station. For 288 cases with an unknown cause of death, the autopsy rates were 70.0% (60/87 cases) in the Gangseo police station, 28.6% (26/91 cases) in the Yangcheon police station, and 63.1% (65/103 cases) in the Guro police station. For 65 cases due to fall from height, the autopsy rate was 7.7% (n=5). Of the 187 cases due to hanging, 155 cases were classified as suicide at the scene with a 4.5% (n=7) autopsy rate and 32 cases were classified as an undetermined manner of death at the scene with a 15.6% (n=5) autopsy rate. The distribution of the “manner of death” was natural death, 45% (n=516); unnatural death, 29.9% (n=343); and other and undetermined, 25.1% (n=288). Proportions of dispatch times were 50.9% (584 cases) during work hours (09:00–18:00), 13.8% (n=158) during evening hours (18:00–21:00), 13.4% (n=154) at night (21:00–00:00), 11% (n=126) at dawn (00:00–06:00), and 10.9% (n=125) during morning hours (06:00–09:00). The male-to-female ratio was 1.86:1 (746:401). These statistics are valuable for the evaluation of postmortem inspections by experts.

The Predictive Ratios of Intoxicated Deaths by Police's Death Scene Investigation and Doctor's Death Certificates in South Korea / 대한법의학회지

Forensic autopsies were performed on 1,821 cases in 2014 and 2,024 cases in 2015 at the National Forensic Service Seoul Institute. Based on the autopsy reports, 103 cases (5.7%) in 2014 and 130 cases (6.4%) in 2015 were selected as unnatural deaths caused by fatal intoxication. The cases were divided into five groups. The first group had ethanol intoxication, the second had drug intoxication, the third had agrochemical intoxication, the fourth had cyanide intoxication, and the fifth had miscellaneous intoxications. Of the 233 cases, 202 had death certificates. Of these 202 cases, 169 (83.7%) had an undetermined manner of death (MOD); 17 (8.4%) had an unnatrual MOD and intoxication was the cause of death (COD); nine (4.5%) had an unnatural MOD, but the COD was not intoxication; seven (3.5%) had a natural MOD and disease as a COD. The predictive ratios of intoxication as a COD were compared with the death certificates and the police death scene investigation results. The death certificates and the police investigation results showed predictive ratios of 8.4% and 55.2%, respectively, for intoxication as a COD. The discrepance in these predictive ratios and relatively low predictive ratio of police investigation results mean that intoxicated deaths have been underevaluated; thus, some homicides or intentional deaths were probably missed under South Korea's death investigation system. Doctors who specialize in forensic medicine need to supervise the entire postmortem examination process and emergency blood toxicological analysis should be performed in South Korea.

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2015 / 대한법의학회지

The statistical analysis of forensic autopsies provides basic data for the postmortem investigation system and is the foundation of the statistics used in the analysis of the causes of death. A statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea during 2015 to overcome regional limitations and limitations from the number of unusual deaths in the current forensic autopsy research. A total of 6,610 cases were categorized based on the region, requested Police Agency or Coast Guard, gender, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 3,326 cases (50.3%) were unnatural death, 2,754 cases (41.7%) were natural death, and 530 cases (8.0%) were of unknown. Of the 3,326 cases of unnatural death, the majority (1,275 cases, 38.3%) were accidents, 1,040 cases (31.3%) were suicide, 481 cases (14.5%) were homicide, and 530 cases (15.9%) were undetermined death. Among the unnatural death, the majority (1,330 cases, 40.0%) were trauma, followed by 588 cases (17.7%) of asphyxia and 566 cases (17.0%) of poisoning. Fall down were the major cause of death by trauma (538 cases, 40.5%). On the basis of a previous study, there were 588 cases of asphyxia; strangulation was the major cause, with 472 cases (80.3%). Of the 2,754 cases of natural death, heart disease was the major cause (1,417 cases, 51.5%), followed by vascular disease (503 cases, 18.3%).

Profile of Forensic Autopsy Practices in Small Towns and Cities in Rural Areas / 대한법의학회지

Forensic autopsy service in a metropolitan area of Korea is well established and optimized for high population density based on high social system and infrastructures. However, forensic autopsy in rural areas in our country might be affected due to their low population density, and inconveniences related to special and temporal limitations as well as cultural and traditional limitation. Therefore, for an advanced and optimized model of forensic autopsy service in rural areas, we performed a retrospective analysis on the profile of forensic autopsy based on the eastern part of our nation for 8 years between 2005 and 2013 and analyzed them by cause of death, manner of death, demographic data, toxicological results, and additional information. Through our study we presented the profile of forensic autopsy practice in rural areas and suggested that it can be affected by such regional characteristics.

Acute Necrotizing Esophagitis: An Autopsy Case Report and Literature Review / 대한법의학회지

Acute necrotizing esophagitis (AEN), also called "black esophagus," is a rare disorder with an unknown pathogenesis. Endoscopic findings generally show black pigmentation throughout the esophagus. This case also offered rare views of the gross anatomy of this disorder. Histological examination revealed that the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus were involved in the severe necrotizing inflammation. The chief manifestation of this disease is hematemesis from hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract with a typically multifactorial etiology. AEN is also characterized by a clear boundary at the gastroesophageal junction where the necrosis stops. In this study, we report an autopsy case of a 61-year-old man with necrotizing inflammation throughout the esophagus and esophageal necrosis from the laryngopharynx to the gastroesophageal junction. The patient was a disabled person with a history of alcohol abuse who was also diagnosed with mild coronary arteriosclerosis and fatty liver on the basis of the underlying diseases. In this case, the main etiology for poor perfusion from the distal esophageal area was likely underlying illness, history of alcoholism, and malnutrition.

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.

Historical Development of Forensic Pathology in the United States / 대한법의학회지

While forensic pathology has become a vital tool in solving crime over recent years, it remains a vague term to many criminal justice practitioners. Chronicling the development of autopsy and forensic pathology in the United States will introduce this modern field. An examination of forensic pathology will also explain how its role has evolved to accommodate legal and civil issues. The utility of forensic pathology extends well beyond the medical realm by affecting the core of the medicolegal investigative system in the United States.

Deaths While in Legal Custody and Incarceration in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province / 대한법의학회지

Deaths of suspects or inmates while in custody and incarceration is a tragedy for families and could become a public issue. Such deaths occur within a complicated brew of ethical and legal hurdles that must be handled with caution. We conducted a survey about these deaths. We collected and reviewed 85 cases of death that occurred while in custody and incarceration in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province, including e postmortem examinations between 2004 and 2011. Natural causes (most commonly cardiovascular diseases) accounted for nearly half of the deaths in custody, and unnatural causes accounted for nearly all of the remainder. Suicidal strangulation (hanging and self-strangulation) was the most common cause, followed by poisoning. Natural deaths by cardiovascular disease and unnatural deaths by suicidal strangulations, poisoning accounted for most cases of death while in custody and during incarceration. We hope this study can facilitate policy proposals to address this problem, helping authorities to reduce the occurrences of these preventable and untimely deaths of individuals in custody and incarceration.