The Statistical Analysis on Legal Autopsy Performed in Korea during 2012 Year.
10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.4.198
- Author:
Joo Young NA
;
Jong Pil PARK
;
Hye Jin PARK
;
Bong Woo LEE
;
Young Shik CHOI
;
Joong Seok SEO
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Autopsy;
Cause of death;
Manner of death;
Statistic;
Korea
- MeSH:
Autopsy*;
Cause of Death;
Child;
Drowning;
Female;
Heart Diseases;
Humans;
Korea*;
Male;
Poisoning;
Skeleton;
Starvation;
Vascular Diseases
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2013;37(4):198-207
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
This statistical analysis of 4,709 legal autopsies performed in Korea in 2012 was conducted to obtain primary data about and related variables. The analysis revealed the following: 1. Of the total number of deaths, men accounted for and women, 26.8%. Evidently, the number of deaths among men was more than twice that among women. 2. With respect to mode of death, 54.8% were recorded as unnatural deaths, 39.2% were natural deaths, and 6.0% had unknown causes. Of the 2,581 unnatural deaths, 44.8% were accidental deaths; 27.2%, suicidal; 17.5%, homicidal; and 10.3%, undetermined. 3. Of the total number of unnatural deaths, 43.0% were trauma-related deaths, for which falling down was the leading cause, accounting for 33.5% cases. Asphyxiation was accounted for 17.2%, among which the predominant cause was hanging (55.3%). Moreover, 12.5% of deaths were due to drowning; 11.5%, poisoning; 11.2%, thermal injuries; 2.7%, complications in medical procedures; and 0.3%, electrocution, starvation, or neglect. 4. Among 1,847 natural deaths, heart diseases accounted for 50.2% and vascular diseases accounted for 16.7%. 5. There were 207 cases of deaths among children under the age of 10, of which 94 were unnatural and 49 were homicidal deaths. Of all cases, 9.2% had an unknown cause of death, and of these 67.6%, were putrefied or skeletonized bodies.
