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This is a statistical analysis based on the data of medicolegal autopsies so called unusual death, brought to this institute by all of law enforcement agencies in Korea during the year of 1998. This report aims to reveal the facts on various causes of unusual death in Korea. The total numbers of autopsy made for the unusual deaths were 2,285 cases, among them 1,561 cases were males and 724 cases were females. Violent deaths were 1,442 cascs(63.1 %), natural deaths were 708 cascs(31.1%), and unknown cases were 135(5.9%). For deaths due to injuries, blunt object injuries were the leading ahead, 380 cases and sharp object injuries were 206 cases. Asphyxial deaths were 366 cases(16.0%), and death due to fatal pressure on the neck were 207 cases showing the biggest number among the asphyxial deaths. For the death due to poisoning, 192 cases(8.4%) were recorded and the biggest number among these was agrochemical poisoning. Deaths by fire or burning were 78 cases, and deaths by scalding were 10 cases. Deaths due to hypothermia were 22 cases. Deaths due to electrocution were 14 cases and 13 cases were male. There were 6 cases for death due to starvation. The natural deaths were 708 cases(31.0%) and the death due to the disease of the cardiovascular system was taking the most of the total number with 378´ cases. Cause of death unknown due to negative autopsy and to the severe decomposition of the body were 135 cases, 5.9 percents of the total number.
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