Statistical Analysis of Forensic Autopsies Performed in the Jungbu Province of Korea in 2023

This study examined the manner and cause of death in 1,088 forensic autopsies conducted in 2023 by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in the Jungbu province of South Korea. Analysis showed that 43.5% (473/1,088) of deaths were unnatural, 43.4% (472/1,088) were natural, and 13.1% (143/1,088) were unknown. Among unnatural deaths, suicide accounted for 42.3% (200/473), accidents for 37.6% (178/473), undetermined cases for 14.4% (68/473, and homicide for 5.7% (27/473). The leading causes of death in unnatural cases were trauma (35.7%, 169/473), poisoning (28.3%, 134/473), and asphyxia (16.9%, 80/473). Falling was the primary traumatic cause of death by trauma (50.9%, 86/169), and strangulation was the leading asphyxial cause (76.3%, 61/80). Among natural deaths, heart disease was most common (42.8%, 202/472), followed by endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (15.5%, 73/472). Continued time-series analysis of manner and cause of death in this region may support more comprehensive assessments related to public safety and healthcare planning.