Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health issue, with undiagnosed cases posing risks to public health and forensic personnel. Forensic autopsies are important in identifying TB cases, as undetected infections in deceased individuals can lead to occupational exposure through aerosolized transmission. However, TB surveillance in forensic autopsies remains insufficient, limiting its recognition in public health strategies. This study analyzed 43,190 forensic autopsies conducted in South Korea from 2019-2023, identifying 195 TB cases (0.45%), including 114 deaths (0.26%) primarily caused by TB. The highest prevalence was recorded in 2019 (0.59%), with a gradual decline in subsequent years. Regional analysis showed that Incheon had the highest TB prevalence (0.74%). Pulmonary TB was the most common (80.77%), followed by miliary TB (15.38%). These findings highlight the potential occupational risks for forensic personnel because of undiagnosed TB infections. Notably, 72.3% of TB cases were identified postmortem without previous medical records, increasing the likelihood of unprotected exposure. Additionally, forensic investigations often lack systematic reporting of TB cases, making it difficult to assess the true prevalence and risks. Strengthening TB monitoring in forensic autopsies can enhance case identification and improve public health surveillance. Establishing a more structured reporting system for TB cases in forensic settings may help prevent occupational exposure and support national TB control efforts.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health issue, with undiagnosed cases posing risks to public health and forensic personnel. Forensic autopsies are important in identifying TB cases, as undetected infections in deceased individuals can lead to occupational exposure through aerosolized transmission. However, TB surveillance in forensic autopsies remains insufficient, limiting its recognition in public health strategies. This study analyzed 43,190 forensic autopsies conducted in South Korea from 2019-2023, identifying 195 TB cases (0.45%), including 114 deaths (0.26%) primarily caused by TB. The highest prevalence was recorded in 2019 (0.59%), with a gradual decline in subsequent years. Regional analysis showed that Incheon had the highest TB prevalence (0.74%). Pulmonary TB was the most common (80.77%), followed by miliary TB (15.38%). These findings highlight the potential occupational risks for forensic personnel because of undiagnosed TB infections. Notably, 72.3% of TB cases were identified postmortem without previous medical records, increasing the likelihood of unprotected exposure. Additionally, forensic investigations often lack systematic reporting of TB cases, making it difficult to assess the true prevalence and risks. Strengthening TB monitoring in forensic autopsies can enhance case identification and improve public health surveillance. Establishing a more structured reporting system for TB cases in forensic settings may help prevent occupational exposure and support national TB control efforts.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health issue, with undiagnosed cases posing risks to public health and forensic personnel. Forensic autopsies are important in identifying TB cases, as undetected infections in deceased individuals can lead to occupational exposure through aerosolized transmission. However, TB surveillance in forensic autopsies remains insufficient, limiting its recognition in public health strategies. This study analyzed 43,190 forensic autopsies conducted in South Korea from 2019-2023, identifying 195 TB cases (0.45%), including 114 deaths (0.26%) primarily caused by TB. The highest prevalence was recorded in 2019 (0.59%), with a gradual decline in subsequent years. Regional analysis showed that Incheon had the highest TB prevalence (0.74%). Pulmonary TB was the most common (80.77%), followed by miliary TB (15.38%). These findings highlight the potential occupational risks for forensic personnel because of undiagnosed TB infections. Notably, 72.3% of TB cases were identified postmortem without previous medical records, increasing the likelihood of unprotected exposure. Additionally, forensic investigations often lack systematic reporting of TB cases, making it difficult to assess the true prevalence and risks. Strengthening TB monitoring in forensic autopsies can enhance case identification and improve public health surveillance. Establishing a more structured reporting system for TB cases in forensic settings may help prevent occupational exposure and support national TB control efforts.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health issue, with undiagnosed cases posing risks to public health and forensic personnel. Forensic autopsies are important in identifying TB cases, as undetected infections in deceased individuals can lead to occupational exposure through aerosolized transmission. However, TB surveillance in forensic autopsies remains insufficient, limiting its recognition in public health strategies. This study analyzed 43,190 forensic autopsies conducted in South Korea from 2019-2023, identifying 195 TB cases (0.45%), including 114 deaths (0.26%) primarily caused by TB. The highest prevalence was recorded in 2019 (0.59%), with a gradual decline in subsequent years. Regional analysis showed that Incheon had the highest TB prevalence (0.74%). Pulmonary TB was the most common (80.77%), followed by miliary TB (15.38%). These findings highlight the potential occupational risks for forensic personnel because of undiagnosed TB infections. Notably, 72.3% of TB cases were identified postmortem without previous medical records, increasing the likelihood of unprotected exposure. Additionally, forensic investigations often lack systematic reporting of TB cases, making it difficult to assess the true prevalence and risks. Strengthening TB monitoring in forensic autopsies can enhance case identification and improve public health surveillance. Establishing a more structured reporting system for TB cases in forensic settings may help prevent occupational exposure and support national TB control efforts.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the main causes of unusual death. However, diagnosing acute myocardial infarction based on post-mortem examination may be difficult; notably, it cannot be diagnosed based on postmortem inspection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of cardiac marker analysis in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and to review the possibility of its application in post-mortem inspections. This study included 69 autopsy cases, including 29 cases in which the post-mortem interval was ≤24 hours, performed at the National Forensic Service Seoul Institute from July to November 2018. Tests for three cardiac markers (myoglobin, creatinine kinase-MB, and cardiac troponin I) were performed in each case using portable equipment, Triage Meter. The reliability of the equipment enzyme levels according to cause of death, and factors affecting the postmortem test results were analyzed. Cardiac marker concentrations were not significantly different between the heart disease and other disease groups, and Triage Meter was not found to be suitable for postmortem examination. Therefore, we can conclude that using cardiac marker analysis in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction using portable equipment at the scene of postmortem inspection is inappropriate.

Near-infrared spectroscopy is a device used to determine whether traumatic intracranial hemorrhage has occurred and is primarily used for screening in emergency situations. In this study we examined the applicability of this equipment in postmortem inspection. This study included 124 autopsy cases and 59 postmortem inspection cases performed in the National Forensic Service from July 2017 to October 2018. We carried out the test using Infrascanner Model 2000 (Infrascan Inc.). Autopsy cases were divided into four groups (epidural hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage group, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral contusion group, nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage group, and control group) and analyzed. There was no difference in the test results according to the presence and type of intracranial hemorrhage. The possibility that variables related to postmortem change affected the test results was considered. In conclusion, this study confirmed that near-infrared spectroscopy is not suitable for the detection of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in postmortem inspection.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders, that have become a major cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of diabetes-related laboratory tests for diagnosis of postmortem DM. From March to August 2018, among the autopsy cases investigated by the National Forensic Service, heart blood and vitreous humor samples from 253 cases that had not been decomposed were collected, and the data from 208 cases except 45 cases that were incapable of testing were analyzed for statistical significance and compared with the causes of death on autopsy reports. The levels of C-peptide, insulin, acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HA), total ketone, and HbA1c were measured in the heart blood, and the levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and potassium were measured in the vitreous humor. The levels of glucose in the vitreous humor and HbA1c, β-HA, and total ketone in the heart blood were significantly correlated. C-peptide and insulin levels were lower than normal levels in most cases (C-peptide 92.3%, P=0.480, insulin 97.6%, P=0.589), and were not useful measures indicating diabetic complications. In the group with DM history, the average levels of HbA1c from the heart blood and glucose from the vitreous humor were higher than in those with no or unknown history of DM, indicating their usefulness as diagnostic tools. The results of this study suggest a postmortem DM diagnosis model.Therefore, postmortem DM-related tests can help diagnose the cause of death in forensic medicine.

Near-infrared spectroscopy is a device used to determine whether traumatic intracranial hemorrhage has occurred and is primarily used for screening in emergency situations. In this study we examined the applicability of this equipment in postmortem inspection. This study included 124 autopsy cases and 59 postmortem inspection cases performed in the National Forensic Service from July 2017 to October 2018. We carried out the test using Infrascanner Model 2000 (Infrascan Inc.). Autopsy cases were divided into four groups (epidural hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage group, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral contusion group, nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage group, and control group) and analyzed. There was no difference in the test results according to the presence and type of intracranial hemorrhage. The possibility that variables related to postmortem change affected the test results was considered. In conclusion, this study confirmed that near-infrared spectroscopy is not suitable for the detection of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in postmortem inspection.

Near-infrared spectroscopy is a device used to determine whether traumatic intracranial hemorrhage has occurred and is primarily used for screening in emergency situations. In this study we examined the applicability of this equipment in postmortem inspection. This study included 124 autopsy cases and 59 postmortem inspection cases performed in the National Forensic Service from July 2017 to October 2018. We carried out the test using Infrascanner Model 2000 (Infrascan Inc.). Autopsy cases were divided into four groups (epidural hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage group, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral contusion group, nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage group, and control group) and analyzed. There was no difference in the test results according to the presence and type of intracranial hemorrhage. The possibility that variables related to postmortem change affected the test results was considered. In conclusion, this study confirmed that near-infrared spectroscopy is not suitable for the detection of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in postmortem inspection.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of unexpected deaths, but there are limitations to its diagnosis in postmortem inspection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of cardiac marker analysis for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in postmortem inspection. This study was conducted on 30 postmortem inspection cases conducted by the National Forensic Service from 2016 to 2018. Tests for three myocardial enzymes (myoglobin, creatinine kinase-MB, and cardiac troponin I) were performed in each case, and the relationships between enzyme levels, cause of death, and factors affecting the postmortem tests were analyzed. Cardiac enzyme concentrations were not significantly different between the heart disease group and other disease groups, and the false-positive rate was increased due to postmortem changes. Therefore, we can conclude that it is not appropriate to use cardiac enzyme analysis for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in postmortem inspection.
Cause of Death ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Heart Diseases ; Myocardial Infarction ; Postmortem Changes ; Troponin ; Troponin I