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We developed a web-based Y chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) database (ySTRmanager, http://ystrmanager.yonsei.ac.kr) to facilitate calculation of Y-STR haplotype frequency estimates for random matches and kinship indices for various relationship levels. The ySTRmanager database provides 3 functions: (i) Y-STR haplotype search, (ii) kinship index calculation, and (iii) user database configuration. The Y-STR haplotype search function allows researchers to retrieve Y-STR haplotypes that meet queried Y-STR allele, Y-haplogroup affiliation, and/or sample information from a selected population in the open database, which consists of 12-17 Y-STR loci. The number of matches in a selected population, haplotype frequency estimator, and detailed results for matched and neighbor haplotypes are displayed as a set of search results. The kinship index calculation function provides kinship indices of 2 input Y-STR haplotypes for the relationship represented by the number of meioses, with consideration of target population and mutation rate of each Y-STR. In addition, ySTRmanager allows registered users to configure their own database to store and analyze Y-STR haplotype and/or mutation rate data. The stored Y-STR data can be used in the search function and in the analysis to obtain forensic statistical values. The ySTRmanager will be a useful system to analyze and manage Y-STR data in the practice of forensic genetics.
Alleles ; Forensic Genetics ; Haplotypes ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Meiosis ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Mutation Rate

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Y Haplogroup Distribution in Korean and Other Populations.

Ai Hua ZHANG ; Hye Young LEE ; Seung Bum SEO ; Hyo Jung LEE ; Hong Xuan JIN ; So Hee CHO ; Sung Hee LYOO ; Ki Ha KIM ; Jae Won LEE ; Soong Deok LEE

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2012;36(1):34-44. doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.34

With globalization, international exchange has increased. Accordingly, the necessity for individual identification using genetic polymorphism has also increased. Paternal lineages are distributed differently, and different distribution patterns can be used to predict ancestry. We studied the distribution pattern of different paternal lineages in Korea and compared them with other populations. All 30 SNPs on the Y chromosome were selected for paternal lineage confirmation. Loci that could subclassify haplogroup O, the most frequent in the East Asian population, were added. After multiplex amplification for the target loci, SBE reactions were set up for each SNP site. One hundred Korean men as well as 60 Chinese, 60 Japanese, 19 African-American, 48 Caucasian, and 47 Mexican American were tested and compared. Five Y haplogroups [C (C3), D (D2), NO, O, Q (Q1a1)] were found in Koreans, with haplogroup O being the most frequent. Haplogroup O sub-classified into O* (24%), O1 (6%), O2b (39%), O3a3c (4%), O3a3c1 (13%), and O3a3b(1%). This distribution pattern was similar to that of Chinese or Japanese, but minor differences were noted. With Fst, the Korean and Japanese patterns were close (0.01757) when using 6 SNPs. There were significant differences between Koreans and African Americans, Caucasians and Mexican Americans, and they were easily discernible without requiring haplogroup O sub-classification. Sub-classification of haplogroup O is likely to be useful for East Asia group comparisons. Additional studies in populations from different areas of China or Japan or studies of mtDNA or autosomes may enhance the discrimatory power of genetic polymorphism in different Asian populations.
African Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Far East ; Humans ; Internationality ; Japan ; Korea ; Male ; Mexican Americans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Y Chromosome

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Discrepant Causes of Death between Medical Death Certificates and Autopsy Reports (II).

Jong In NA ; Young Jik LEE ; Hyung Seok KIM ; Byeong Woo MIN ; Hye Jung KIM ; Seung Hyun CHUNG ; Joo Young NA ; Jong Tae PARK

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2012;36(1):27-33. doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.27

The postmortem examination certificate and death certificate provide proof of death and supply important data used to establish health statistics. However, the format of the form and the accuracy of postmortem examination and death certificates yield errors that must be corrected by comparison with postmortem studies. We reviewed 401 autopsies performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 and compared the reports with their postmortem examination certificates and death certificates. Of the 252 cases submitted with death certifications, 60 cases were concordant with the cause of death on the autopsy report. Eighty-nine cases had clear descriptions of the cause of death. Of these cases, 47 were from postmortem examination, 42 were from death certificates; 17 were natural deaths, 72 were unnatural. Concordance in each group was 59.6% (28/47 cases), 76.2% (32/42 cases), 41.2% (7/17 cases), and 73.6% (53/72 cases). We thus identified various types of errors in postmortem examination and death certificates. This study reveals a high rate of discrepancy between causes of death reported on death certificates and postmortem examination certificates. There are a few useful death certificate and postmortem examination certificates that can be used as a model, based on which we propose several remedies to increase the accuracy of death and postmortem examination certificates.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Certification ; Death Certificates ; Forensic Medicine ; Schools, Medical

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Deaths While in Legal Custody and Incarceration in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

Sohyung PARK ; Minjung KIM ; Young Shik CHOI ; Hongil HA

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2012;36(1):22-26. doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.22

Deaths of suspects or inmates while in custody and incarceration is a tragedy for families and could become a public issue. Such deaths occur within a complicated brew of ethical and legal hurdles that must be handled with caution. We conducted a survey about these deaths. We collected and reviewed 85 cases of death that occurred while in custody and incarceration in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province, including e postmortem examinations between 2004 and 2011. Natural causes (most commonly cardiovascular diseases) accounted for nearly half of the deaths in custody, and unnatural causes accounted for nearly all of the remainder. Suicidal strangulation (hanging and self-strangulation) was the most common cause, followed by poisoning. Natural deaths by cardiovascular disease and unnatural deaths by suicidal strangulations, poisoning accounted for most cases of death while in custody and during incarceration. We hope this study can facilitate policy proposals to address this problem, helping authorities to reduce the occurrences of these preventable and untimely deaths of individuals in custody and incarceration.
Autopsy ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Police

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Historical Development of Forensic Pathology in the United States.

Tae M CHOO ; Young Shik CHOI

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2012;36(1):15-21. doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.15

While forensic pathology has become a vital tool in solving crime over recent years, it remains a vague term to many criminal justice practitioners. Chronicling the development of autopsy and forensic pathology in the United States will introduce this modern field. An examination of forensic pathology will also explain how its role has evolved to accommodate legal and civil issues. The utility of forensic pathology extends well beyond the medical realm by affecting the core of the medicolegal investigative system in the United States.
Autopsy ; Coroners and Medical Examiners ; Crime ; Criminal Law ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; United States

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Postmortem Biochemistry (I) : Cardiac Markers.

Byeong Woo MIN ; Jong Tae PARK ; Jong Soon CHOI

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2012;36(1):1-14. doi:10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.1

In cases of atherosclerotic occlusion of coronary artery, is it appropriate to conclude that myocardial infarction is the true cause of death? More sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction are sometimes necessary because macroscopic or microscopic changes associated with early-phase acute myocardial injuries or myocardial infarct are sometimes absent in sudden cardiac death. Postmortem biochemical assessment of cardiac markers may help to evaluate the pathological cardiac status in sudden unexpected death without obvious cause. However, forensic pathologists are generally interested only in the macroscopic and microscopic findings for postmortem diagnosis of myocardial diseases and hesitate to use postmortem biochemical data because of the risk of postmortem changes. There are several clinically useful cardiac markers antemortem cardiac events such as myocardial injuries, infarct, or heart failure and postmortem data on cardiac markers in autopsy cases of sudden death have been reported. This review of postmortem data on cardiac markers in blood, other body fluids, and myocardial tissue will serve to introduce the recent international research trends and provide a foundation for a new field in postmortem biochemistry.
Autopsy ; Biochemistry ; Body Fluids ; Cardiomyopathies ; Coronary Vessels ; Death, Sudden ; Heart Failure ; Myocardial Infarction

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Sudden Death associated with Thyrotoxicosis: Report of Three Autopsy Cases.

Ju Yeon KIM ; Min Jung KIM ; Sohyung PARK ; Hongil HA

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2013;37(3):167-170. doi:10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.3.167

Thyrotoxicosis (thyroid crisis) is a known cause of sudden death; however, only a few cases of death resulting from thyrotoxicosis have been reported. Histopathologic examination and postmortem thyroid function tests may be helpful in postmortem diagnosis, but their usefulness seems to be limited. We report three autopsy cases associated with thyrotoxicosis.
Autopsy ; Death, Sudden ; Thyroid Crisis ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyrotoxicosis

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Rupture of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Postpartum: 2 Cases Report.

Ahrong KIM ; Hongil HA ; Sohyung PARK

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2013;37(3):161-166. doi:10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.3.161

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are less common than abdominal aortic aneurysms, however they are life-threatening and usually asymptomatic until acute complications occur. The majority of thoracic aorta aneurysm are associated with medial degeneration rather than atherosclerosis and the fusiform aortic aneurysm is common. Considering that it usually occurs during the sixth and seventh decades of life, its occurrence in a peripartum woman is unusual. Aortic dissection or thoracic aortic aneurysm with aortic insufficiency during pregnancy or peripartum has been reported, however, to our knowledge, the case of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm in peripartum women, with saccular type without aortic valve involvement but not diffuse dilatation, has not been reported. Herein, we presented two autopsy cases of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm during postpartum.
Aneurysm ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Aortic Valve ; Atherosclerosis ; Autopsy ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Peripartum Period ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Rupture

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