Analysis of Death due to Poisoning in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do Areas
Korean J Leg Med 2016;40:72-77

Department of Forensic Medicine and Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea,

Forensic Medicine Division, National Forensic Service Gwangju Institute, Jangseong, Korea,

Chonnam National University Law School, Gwangju, Korea

veritas@jnu.ac.kr

This study examined 190 cases of confirmed poisoning, as determined by autopsy findings, as well as alcohol and toxicant concentrations in post-mortem specimens. Judicial autopsies were performed from January 2007 to December 2014 at Department of Legal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, the National Forensic Service Gwangju Institute, and St. Carollo Hospital. We analyzed the incidence of poisoning according to region and season in terms of year, sex, age, and classification of toxicants. In the regional classification, the number of deaths due to poisoning in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju areas was similar when considering autopsy numbers. The incidence was higher in autumn and spring than in summer and winter, and a large number of deaths occurred in 2008 and 2014. Additionally, the number of male deaths was approximately twice the number of female deaths, with the age of 50-59 being the most common age group. Pesticides comprised the largest number of deaths due to poison, followed by alcoholism, carbon monoxide, treatment drugs, and cyanic acid, in that order.

Key Words: Autopsy; Poisoning; Gwangju; Jeollanam-do; Cause of death