Changes in Medicolegal Autopsy Rates in Korea between 2016 and 2020

Abstract

A medicolegal autopsy is usually performed to determine the cause and manner of death based on judicial or administrative directives applicable in cases of unusual deaths. Social interest in medicolegal autopsies is increasing in recent times. In this study, we investigated medicolegal autopsy rates in Korea and compared these with rates reported by other countries. We obtained data regarding autopsies performed between 2016 and 2020 from the relevant institutions. We calculated the autopsy rate using mortality data from Statistics Korea. The number of medicolegal autopsies performed increased from 8,382 in 2016 to 9,308 in 2020, with an annual increase in numbers. The medicolegal autopsy rate of total deaths increased from 2.98% in 2016 to 3.05% in 2020, and the medicolegal autopsy rates of unusual deaths increased from 12.45% to 13.12% during the same period. However, it repeated an increase and a decrease by year during the study period. In conclusion, the numbers of medicolegal autopsies performed in Korea have been increasing since 2016; however, the medicolegal autopsy rate has been maintained.