In order to determine paternity by genetic testing, the Paternity Index (PI) and probability of paternity are calculated using likelihood ratio method. However, when it is necessary, additional testing can be performed to validate the genetic relationship. This research demonstrates autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) results of Jeju Island population in order to determine genetic relationship. Two notable cases showed that despite the acceptable PI value obtained from STR testing, average of 12 mismatches were found in total of 169 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphism typing. Such cases imply that cautious statistical approach is necessary when determining genetic relationship, especially within an isolated population group. Moreover, this would suggest that a further research and investigation are needed in order to understand the population structure of Korea.
Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Korea ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Paternity* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Population Groups

A 44-year-old man was cutting an outer plate of a ship, at a depth of 25 m below sea level. Following a sudden explosion, he was discovered unconscious and was carried to the surface by other divers. There was no evidence of vital signs upon arrival at the hospital. Postmortem computed tomography, which was performed prior to autopsy, revealed massive pneumocephalus in the brain, pneumohemothorax, diffuse lung contusions with multiple traumatic lung cysts, air-fluid level in the cardiac chamber of the chest, and pneumoperitoneum in the abdomen. Postmortem external examination showed a circular abrasion on the jaw, diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, and contusion in the right upper arm. An internal examination revealed intravascular air bubbles in all four chambers of the heart, and diffuse pulmonary trauma including contusion, laceration, and multiple traumatic cysts. Blast injury to the chest, and air embolism due to the underwater explosion were established as the underlying cause of death.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Arm ; Autopsy ; Blast Injuries ; Brain ; Cause of Death ; Contusions ; Diving ; Embolism, Air ; Explosions* ; Heart ; Humans ; Jaw ; Lacerations ; Lung ; Pneumocephalus ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Ships ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Thorax ; Vital Signs

Nicotine is a water-soluble alkaloid extracted from tobacco plants, and most frequently encountered in snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco or in a limited number of pesticides. Nicotine overdose or poisoning might be serious or fatal and lead to death; caused by cardiovascular arrest, respiratory muscle paralysis, and/or central respiratory failure due to its toxic effect. Suicide by nicotine ingestion has been rarely reported due to emetic response. We present a case of suicidal nicotine poisoning. A 56-year-old man was found dead and the postmortem examination revealed no injury or disease. We confirmed a high concentration of nicotine in the toxicological test. Through scene investigation, we determined this case as a suicidal nicotine poisoning.
Autopsy ; Eating ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nicotine* ; Pesticides ; Poisoning* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Paralysis ; Suicide ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco, Smokeless

Suicide notes are essential for investigating the psychological state of suicide victims and establishing suicide prevention programs. Since only a few studies have attempted to identify the causes of suicidal behavior through suicide notes, it would be worth examining suicide notes. Quantitative research on suicide has offered a limited understanding of suicide. Results showed that the suicide victims had used the suicide note as a tool for their last communication. Further, in addition to neutral contents such as directions for funeral, the note often contained information about precipitating events that caused the suicidal ideation. Writing a suicide note seemed to help the victims consider concrete plans for suicide. This study proved that qualitative research on suicide notes would be helpful for researchers to understand suicide victims in depth, which cannot be achieved by quantitative methods alone. Based on these results, several suggestions for suicide prevention programs were discussed.
Qualitative Research ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide* ; Writing

Medicolegal autopsy is a vital tool for obtaining reliable injury mortality data. This study statistically analyzed data obtained from medicolegal autopsies performed in Korea in 2013. The aim of this study was to analyze various aspects of the 4,861 deaths that were categorized as unusual in Korea in 2013. A total of 4,861 deaths were analyzed by gender, age, manner of death, and cause of death. Of the 4,861 deaths, 3,542 (73.3%) were of men and 1,302 (26.7%) were of women. With respect to the manner of death, 54.4% were recorded as unnatural deaths, 38.8% were natural deaths, and 6.9% had unknown causes. Of the 2,642 unnatural deaths, 45.0% were determined to be accidental deaths, 26.3% suicidal, 16.9% homicidal, and 11.8% undetermined. Of the total number of unnatural deaths, 42.1% were trauma-related deaths, for which falling down accounted for 33.8%. Asphyxiation accounted for 16.0% of unnatural deaths, and of these, the predominant cause was hanging (58.8%). In addition, 14.4% of deaths were due to drowning, 12.9% poisoning, 11.0% thermal injuries, 1.8% complications arising from medical procedures, and 0.8% electrocution, starvation, or neglect. Among the 1,886 natural deaths, heart diseases accounted for 52.0% and vascular diseases accounted for 16.9%. Of the 196 deaths among children under the age of 10 years, 41.8% were recorded as unnatural deaths, 45.1% were natural deaths, and 1.5% had unknown causes.
Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Drowning ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Poisoning ; Starvation ; Vascular Diseases

Both death certificates and postmortem examination certificates are used as proof of death. These certificates sometimes contain erroneous information but how frequently they do so is unknown. In particular, only a few studies have measured the accuracy of the cause and manner of death on Korea death documents. In this study, we compared the cause and manner of death on both kinds of certificates with those on autopsy reports to determine the frequency of errors, and to identify way to improve the accuracy of these certificates. In 2012, 528 autopsies were requested of out institute, and certificates were submitted in 241 of the cases. The manner of death was classified as natural, unnatural, or unknown. The cause of death in the autopsy report matched that on the death certificate in 37 of 63 cases (58.7%), and the manner of death matched in 40 of 63 cases (63.5%). The cause of death in the autopsy report matched that on the postmortem examination certificate in 62 of 178 cases (34.8%), and the manner of death matched in 74 of 178 cases (41.6%). Death certificates and postmortem examination certificates are important documents. We identified many incorrect reports of causes and manners of death on both kinds of documents, especially the postmortem death certificates. These inaccuracies are presumably due to a lack of forensic information and education, as well as lack of interest on the part of medical doctors.
Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Death Certificates* ; Education ; Korea

Medical records and expert opinion are very important in resolving various issues of law. This importance has increased recently as the result of growing number of cases before the courts. Unfortunately, however, the present situation is far less satisfactory, and particularly go with respect to medical reports and expert opinions, The problem is twofold, first, doctors are totally unable to investigate fully the medical history of a patient, when the patient is assigned for their evaluation. Medical records are not available to doctors, except when the records exist at the very hospital where the evaluation takes place. Second, lawyers cannot obtain independent counsel from doctors even for a fee. General criticism is that korean doctors are very much reluctant to give their opinion even when there exists a genuine conflict of medical opinions.
Expert Testimony* ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Lawyers ; Medical Records

There are several types of medical certificates and written expert opinions (or judicial reports) which medical doctors have to issue. Author summarized medicolegal demand on medical certificates and written expert opinions separately. Kinds and items of medical certificates were listed. And 10 cases of death certificate in Japan were introduced and analyzed. About judicial reports, definition and legal background as well as general principles of framing of judicial reports including preface, examination records, explanation of results and considerations, and judicial examination and signature were also mentioned.
Death Certificates ; Expert Testimony* ; Japan

Injury is generally defined as morphological changes due to physical or chemical stress, inflammatory or repair process, or secondary events of the other disease. In the nontraumatic injuries of the lung, direct physical effects to the lung such as contusion or rupture of the lung must be excluded. So, the types of nontraumatic injuries of lung are all pathologic changes of lung except for congenital anomalies; infectious of inflammatory disease, aspiration induced injuries, environmental or occupational lung disease, postoperative pulmonary changes, poison or drug induced toxic injuries, radiation injury, etc...
Contusions ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Radiation Injuries ; Rupture

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a routine procedure to survive the patient when abrupt cardiac failure develops. External cardiac compression with respiratory care is usually done, which produce much artifacts such as sternal or rib fracture, cardiac injuries, pulmonary injuries, fat embolism, liver injuries and so no. These lesions often resemble especially blunt force injury, and must be differentiated from the antemortem injury. Basic points about the CPR and some characteristics of the injuries by the CPR are described. And thorough history taking for the situation during the CPR is emphasized.
Artifacts ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Embolism, Fat ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Injury ; Resuscitation* ; Rib Fractures