A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsy in Busan Area in 2006: The Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pusan National University / 대한법의학회지

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to analyse the cause and manner of death on 297 cases of forensic autopsy performed at Institute of Forensic Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, referred by law enforcement agencies in Busan and parts of Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk from Mar. 2006 to Dec. 2006. In Busan, total 233 cases of autopsy was performed among 1,040 cases of postmortem inspection on the spot (autopsy rate 22.4%). Among the total 297 cases, male was 197 cases (66.3%) and female 100 (33.7%). The age of forties and fifties occupied almost half (141 cases 47.5%) of cases. By the manner of death, there were 216 cases of unnatural deaths (72.7%), 76 natural deaths (25.6%), and 5 unknown (1.7%). Among unnatural deaths, there were 35 cases of suicide (16.2%), 89 homicide (41.2%), 68 accident (31.5%), and 24 undetermined (11.1%). By the cause of death, unnatural deaths was classified as 117 cases of traumatic deaths (54.2%), 26 asphyxia (12.0%), 23 thermal injuries (10.6%), 18 medical procedures (8.3%), 15 poisoning (6.9%), 13 drowning (6.0%). Among 76 natural deaths, there were 49 cases of cardiac diseases (64.5%), 10 diseases involving vascular system (13.2%), and 6 diseases involving digestive system (7.9%).