Korean J Leg Med.  2004 May;28(1):18-23.

About reform of autopsy system: focus into the limited autopsy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Medical Humanities and Social sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea. jhk@amc.seoul.kr
  • 2Department of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract

The autopsy system in Korea is based on the Corpse Autopsy and Preservation Law which Articles 2 didn 't limit medical professors and medical examiners to perform autopsy. But according to the Medical practitioners Law Article 18, only a practicing physician can issue the certificate for postmortem inspec-tion. If an unnatural death is suspected, the postmortem investigation and autopsy should be performed according to the order of Criminal Procedure Code Article 222. The limited role of postmortem investi-gation in unnatural death and respective bodies of postmortem inspection and autopsy, which would cause the overflow of criminal autopsy. The detailed guide-line of unnatural death, should-be verified death cases, practical use of postmortem inspection including the blood and tissue sampling etc, unifica-tion of legislations regarding to autopsy system, the specific warrant of autopsy, which empowers the limited and full autopsy individually would be help to improve that distortion.

Keyword

Autopsy; Postmortem inspection; Unnatural death; Postmortem investigation

MeSH Terms

Autopsy*
Cadaver
Coroners and Medical Examiners
Criminals
Humans
Jurisprudence
Korea
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