A Statistical Analysis on Forensic Autopsies Performed in Korea in 2015

Abstract

The statistical analysis of forensic autopsies provides basic data for the postmortem investigation system and is the foundation of the statistics used in the analysis of the causes of death. A statistical analysis was performed on national forensic autopsy data collected in the Republic of Korea during 2015 to overcome regional limitations and limitations from the number of unusual deaths in the current forensic autopsy research. A total of 6,610 cases were categorized based on the region, requested Police Agency or Coast Guard, gender, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Analysis of the manner of death revealed that 3,326 cases (50.3%) were unnatural death, 2,754 cases (41.7%) were natural death, and 530 cases (8.0%) were of unknown. Of the 3,326 cases of unnatural death, the majority (1,275 cases, 38.3%) were accidents, 1,040 cases (31.3%) were suicide, 481 cases (14.5%) were homicide, and 530 cases (15.9%) were undetermined death. Among the unnatural death, the majority (1,330 cases, 40.0%) were trauma, followed by 588 cases (17.7%) of asphyxia and 566 cases (17.0%) of poisoning. Fall down were the major cause of death by trauma (538 cases, 40.5%). On the basis of a previous study, there were 588 cases of asphyxia; strangulation was the major cause, with 472 cases (80.3%). Of the 2,754 cases of natural death, heart disease was the major cause (1,417 cases, 51.5%), followed by vascular disease (503 cases, 18.3%).