An Analysis of Medicolegal Autopsies in Cheju National University, School of Medicine, 1998-1999.

Korean J Leg Med. 2000 May;24(1):1-6. Korean.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Cheju National University, Korea.

The aim of this study was to reveal the current status of forensic practice in Cheju. The range of subjects was limited to deaths autopsied in Cheju National University during the years of 1998 through 1999. All subjects were reviewed with respect to age, sex, cause of death and manner of death. The total number of deaths was 100, of these 85 cases were males and 15 were females. In age distribution, the age group of 30-39 occupied the highest proportion(25.0%). According to the manner of death, the cases of violent deaths were 78, natural deaths 20, and unknown cases 2. For the violent deaths, the percentage of accidental death was 30.8 and homicide 25.6, suicide 18.0, undetermined cases 25.6. According to the cause of death, asphyxia was the most common (35%), followed by injury(31%) and disease(20%). Among 35 deaths of asphyxia, 24(68.8%) were deaths due to drowning. Medicolegal scene investigation was done in 16 cases. Two cases remained as deaths of unknown cause because of severe decomposition

Key words: forensic, medicolegal autopsy, unusual death, analysis