Korean J Leg Med.  2018 May;42(2):39-43. 10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.2.39.

Study for Lists of Forensic Autopsy Request: Quantitative Analysis about Documents Relating to Autopsy Request

Affiliations
  • 1Forensic Medicine Division, National Forensic Service Gwangju Institute, Jangseong, Korea. pdrdream@gmail.com
  • 2Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
  • 3Emergency Medical Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
  • 4Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.

Abstract

In the Republic of Korea, relevant documents are submitted to forensic doctors or agencies when courts grant confiscation warrants for autopsy. If the essential data on unusual death are not submitted at the time of the autopsy, it may be difficult to properly understand the situation relating to an unusual death prior to the autopsy, thus reducing the accuracy of the autopsy. As many as 6,133 out of 6,610 autopsy data (92.8%) in the Republic of Korea in 2015 were analyzed. Most autopsy appraisal requests (99.8%) were submitted. Unusual death occurrence reports (86.0%) and command recommendations of unusual death (70.3%) were submitted in many cases. However, prosecutor commands on unusual death were submitted only in 27.8% cases, and confiscation warrants were not submitted in 7.4% cases. As for postmortem inspection and death scene investigation reports, 29.3% and 34.1% cases were submitted, respectively. In addition to the above two documents, death certificates and records of statement of a relative had significant regional variations (0.3%-80.1%, 3.1%-64.7%, 27.8%-81.3%, and 40.8%-96.8%, respectively). For postmortem inspection and death scene photos, 2.7% and 3.2% were submitted in black-and-white photographs, respectively. The authors propose a list of forensic autopsy requests including autopsy appraisal requests, unusual death occurrence reports, command recommendations of unusual deaths, prosecutor commands on unusual death, and confiscation warrants unconditionally, as an essential document reflecting the progress of investigations. We suggest that postmortem inspection reports and photos, death scene investigation reports and photos, and death certificates should be included as part of postmortem investigation data.

Keyword

Autopsy; List, Autopsy request; Quality control, autopsy; Statistical data interpretation; Korea

MeSH Terms

Autopsy*
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Death Certificates
Financing, Organized
Korea
Republic of Korea

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Classification of postmortem inspection reports by preparing person (%).

  • Fig. 2 Classification of postmortem inspection photos and death scene photos by photo color (%).


Cited by  1 articles

A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2017
Ji Hye Park, Joo-Young Na, Bong Woo Lee, Kyung-moo Yang, Young Shik Choi
Korean J Leg Med. 2018;42(4):111-125.    doi: 10.7580/kjlm.2018.42.4.111.


Reference

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2. Park JH, Na JY, Lee BW, et al. A statistical analysis on forensic autopsies performed in Korea in 2015. Korean J Leg Med. 2016; 40:104–118.
Article
3. Korean Postmortem Investigation Report [Internet]. Seoul: The Segye Times;2014. cited 2018 May 1. Available from: http://www.segye.com/newsView/20140917004349.
4. Won YJ, Park JW, Choi SG, et al. The statistical analysis on the postmortem inspection cases of national forensic service Seoul Institute in 2016. Korean J Leg Med. 2017; 41:67–72.
5. Kim HG, Park JW, Cho WY, et al. The discrepancy of the cause and manner of death between death certificates and autopsy reports. Korean J Leg Med. 2014; 38:139–144.
Article
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