A Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy in Chung-cheong Area of Korea in 2002: The Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigation

Lee, Sang Yong; Kim, Jang Hee; Jeon, Seok Hoon; Lee, Bong Woo; Lee, Ho; Seo, Joong Seok

Abstract

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 Chung-cheong area of Korea during the year of 2002, and analysed the data of forensic autopsies and scene examinations according to the cause of death and the maner of death. The results are as follows ; 1. Scene examination on the spot was performed in 18 cases ; Among these cases, 17 cases were unnatural deaths and the most common cause of death was thermal injury. Autopy was performed in all 18 cases. 2. The total number of forensic autopsy were 590 cases (399 males and 191 females). The number of the thirties (155 cases) and the forties (118 cases) occupied almost half (46.3%) of all cases of autopsy. 3. Unnatural deaths were 378 cases (64.1%), natural 177 cases (30.0%), and the unknown 35 cases (5.9%). In 378 cases of unnatural deaths, suicide was 63 cases (16.7%), homicide 135 cases (35.7%), accident 94 cases (24.9%), and the undetermined 86 cases (22.7%). Homicide occupied 60.1% of trauma, 65.0% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 91.4% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 61.0%, but it went up to 89.3% excluding hanging. It showed only 1 cases (2.0%) of homicide in poisoning. 4. In 378 cases of unnatural deaths, traumatic deaths were 167 cases(44.2%). Blunt trauma was 60 cases (35.9%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Of remaining 211 cases of unnatural deaths, there were 61 cases (16.1%) of thermal injuries, 49 cases (13.0%) of poisonings, 46 cases (13.0%) of drowning, 41 cases (10.8%) of asphyxia, 9 cases (2.3%) of medical procedures, 4 cases (1.1%) of electrocution, and one case of neglect. 5. Among 177 natural deaths, cardiovascular diseases were 113 cases(63.8%) and the leading cause of death in natural deaths. 30 cases(16.9%) of diseases involving digestive system were followed. 6. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 45 cases. Among these cases, homicide were 24 cases(53.4%) and most of them occurred in the preschool period.