The Recent Status and The Point at Issue of Postmortem Investigation in Jeju.

Korean J Leg Med. 2003 May;27(1):10-15. Korean.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine, Korea.

Department of Histology, Cheju National University College of Medicine, Korea.

Department of Pathology, Cheju National University College of Medicine, Korea.

To know recent status and the point at issue of postmortem investigation in Jeju, the southernmost island in Korea has short history of forensic practice, we analyzed unnatural deaths investigated in Jeju during the five years of 1988 through 2002 inclusively. Of the total number of unnatural deaths (1, 118), 349 of the deceased (31.2%) were studied by autopsy in this period. Advisably, the annual autopsy rate was increased gradually with an increase of unnatural deaths. Drowning occupied large proportion (25.6%) of unnatural deaths. A sudden increase of thermal injury and intoxication in 2002 has attracted attention. Postmortem investigation conducted by prosecutor without participation of expert witness involves a lot of risk and that is one of the current nationwide issue as well as in Jeju. In conclusion, the role of forensic specialist in scene investigation and necessity of administrative support for improvement of medicolegal investigation system in Jeju. is emphasized.

Key Words : Postmortem investigation, Unnatural death, Autopsy, Forensic