2025, Vol.38, No.3

Forensic anthropological identification based on human bones is generally conducted in cases where skeletal remains are discovered, such as in large-scale disasters, wars, and archaeological excavations. The most commonly used bones for sex estimation are the skull and pelvis, but when these bones are damaged or fragmented, making estimation difficult, there is a growing need for research on other bones that can be used as substitutes. This paper focuses on the patella, which is dense and resistant to postmortem changes. Among a total of 181 CT data sets of Korean bodies, the patellae of 158 individuals (aged 18 to 78) excluding those who had undergone surgery, children, and those with deformities were reconstructed into 3D images using Mimics. To accurately label the landmarks on the 3D model, reference planes were created for the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes, and eight landmarks were generated. Based on the landmarks, we measured the size of the patella (patella width, patella height, patella thickness) and the articular surface (articular surface height, PS-PRI height, distal pole height, medial facet height, lateral facet height) and performed statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, univariate discriminant analysis, and stepwise discriminant analysis were performed, and direct discriminant analysis was performed by selecting three items (height, width, and depth) that constitute the size of the patella. The descriptive statistics showed that there was a significant difference in the measured values of the patella between men and women. The univariate discriminant analysis showed that height (77.2%) and width (77.2%) had the highest classification results, and the stepwise discriminant analysis also selected the equation consisting of height and width, showing a classification result of 78.5%. Finally, direct analysis of the height, width, and depth of the patella showed a classification result of 78.5%. These results confirm that sex estimation using the patella is meaningful for Koreans and will be helpful in the field of forensic anthropology in the future

Proposal for an AI-Based Anatomy Education Model through Analysis of AI Utilization among Students in Colleges of Korean Medicine.

Seon Kyoung Kim

, Myung Ho Jin

, Seung Bae Choi

and 1 other persons | 2025, 38(3) | pp.181~193 | number of Cited : 0

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This study aimed to analyze the utilization patterns and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) among students in colleges of Korean medicine and to propose an AI-based anatomy education model. A crosssectional survey was conducted on 199 students from all academic years at D University College of Korean Medicine during the first semester of 2025. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their academic progress: Phase 1 (pre-medical years 1~2, n=89), Phase 2 (medical years 1~2, n=73), and Phase 3(medical years 3~4, n=37). The survey assessed AI awareness and understanding, usage experience and application areas, learning effectiveness, concerns, future utilization preferences, and requirements for effective utilization using a 5-point Likert scale. In results, all participants (100%) had experience using AI, with 97% having used AI for learning purposes. The primary AI applications were ‘learning assistance’ (87.4%) and ‘assignment completion’ (74.9%). ChatGPT (99.5%) was the most commonly used AI service. The subjects with highest AI utilization were biochemistry (46.4%), basic Korean medicine (45.4%), physiology/pathology (35.2%), and anatomy (34.7%). The main learning applications were ‘concept explanation/summarization’ (82.1%) and ‘generating drafts for presentations/reports’ (45.9%). While 92.8% of students agreed that AI helps improve learning comprehension, 81.7% expressed concerns about information accuracy. Among future AI learning methods, ‘paper organization and translation’ (72.4%) and ‘theoretical concept organization’ (67.9%) were most frequently desired. Moreover, the ‘development of specialized AI services for Korean medicine with high reliability’ (68.4%) emerged as the top requirement. Students in colleges of Korean medicine actively utilize AI for learning, showing relatively high usage in anatomy education. Based on these findings, we propose an AI-based anatomy education model utilizing real clinical cases. This model consists of a learning structure where instructors use AI to collect and select academic materials and clinical cases worldwide to create problems, and students derive answers using textbooks and references. Future development of specialized AI tools reflecting characteristics of Korean medicine along with establishment of systematic AI education programs are neededStudents in colleges of Korean medicine actively utilize AI for learning, showing relatively high usage in anatomy education. Based on these findings, we propose an AI-based anatomy education model utilizing real clinical cases. This model consists of a learning structure where instructors use AI to collect and select academic materials and clinical cases worldwide to create problems, and students derive answers using textbooks and references. Future development of specialized AI tools reflecting characteristics of Korean medicine along with establishment of systematic AI education programs are needed.

Survey and Recommendation of Forensic Anthropology Examination in South Korea from 2017 to 2021

Da Young Kim

, Sang-Seob Lee

, Yi-Suk Kim

and 2 other persons | 2025, 38(3) | pp.195~208 | number of Cited : 0

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Forensic anthropological techniques are commonly applied in the identification of unidentified individuals in natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires, mass fatality incidents caused by fires, and the excavation of human remains resulting from war. Recently, the demand for identification has increased due to the rising number of lonely deaths, which are associated with the growing population of single-person households. To investigate the current status of forensic anthropological personal identification in South Korea, this study conducted a statistical analysis of forensic anthropological examination reports of unidentified bodies issued by the National Forensic Service (NFS) over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021. Among the 337 requested cases, sex was estimated in 305 cases (90.5%), age in 112 cases (33.2%), and height in 95 cases (28.2%), with all three biological profile elements estimated in 77 cases (22.8%). Based on these results, the study examined the types of skeletal remains used for identification, the duration of examinations, discovery site characteristics, requested examination categories, and the presence of personal effects. The findings provide an overview of the current forensic anthropological examination system in South Korea and highlight the need for categorizing examination requests and improving communication between investigative agencies and the NFS. These improvements are expected to enhance the reliability and accuracy of forensic anthropological examinations and support the development and utilization of a national database for unidentified persons in the futureBased on these results, the study examined the types of skeletal remains used for identification, the duration of examinations, discovery site characteristics, requested examination categories, and the presence of personal effects. The findings provide an overview of the current forensic anthropological examination system in South Korea and highlight the need for categorizing examination requests and improving communication between investigative agencies and the NFS. These improvements are expected to enhance the reliability and accuracy of forensic anthropological examinations and support the development and utilization of a national database for unidentified persons in the future.

An Analysis of Perceptions and Educational Needs Regarding Forensic Medicine in the Biomedical Laboratory Science Curriculum

Geuntae Lee | 2025, 38(3) | pp.209~217 | number of Cited : 0

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A Comparative Analysis of Forensic Medicine Curricula and Educational Needs in Medical, Dental, and Korean Medicine Colleges in Korea

Geuntae Lee | 2025, 38(3) | pp.219~224 | number of Cited : 0

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This study investigates the current status and curricular disparities of forensic medicine education across Korean medical, dental, and Korean medicine colleges. Forensic medicine is a critical discipline that integrates medical knowledge with legal responsibilities, encompassing death certification, injury evaluation, and medico-legal documentation. Despite its growing significance in healthcare practice, it remains inconsistently implemented across educational tracks. A nationwide survey of 63 accredited institutions, including 40 medical colleges, 11 dental colleges, and 12 Korean medicine colleges, was conducted based on the most recently available curricular data. Official undergraduate curriculum documents were reviewed to identify the presence of forensic medicine related courses. Statistical analysis using Fisher’s exact test was performed to assess differences among disciplines. The results revealed that 65.1% of institutions (41 out of 63) offered at least one forensic medicine course. Specifically, 67.5% of medical colleges, 81.8% of dental colleges, and 41.7% of Korean medicine colleges had such courses. All medical colleges with offerings classified them as required, while most dental and Korean medicine colleges offered them as electives. Additionally, most courses were positioned in upper clinical years. Statistically significant associations were found between academic discipline and course offering (p=0.002), indicating structural inequities in access to medico-legal education. These findings suggest that forensic medicine should be formally institutionalized as a core competency across all healthcare disciplines. To promote curricular equity and medico-legal literacy, national accreditation standards must include forensic medicine as a required element in curriculum evaluations. This study provides empirical evidence to support educational reform, reinforcing the role of forensic medicine in fostering legal competence, ethical judgment, and professional accountability in future healthcare professionals

Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire

Seonguk Hong

, Soong Deok Lee

, Dong Hoon Shin

| 2025, 38(3) | pp.225~239 | number of Cited : 0