@article{ART003218900},
author={Sungwook Hong and Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon},
title={Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire},
journal={Anatomy & Biological Anthropology},
issn={2671-5651},
year={2025},
volume={38},
number={2},
pages={89-103},
doi={10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89}
TY - JOUR
AU - Sungwook Hong
AU - Lee, Soong Deok
AU - Shin, Dong Hoon
TI - Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire
JO - Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
PY - 2025
VL - 38
IS - 2
PB - 대한체질인류학회
SP - 89
EP - 103
SN - 2671-5651
AB - In suspected murder cases during the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire periods, post-mortem examinations were conducted promptly after the incident, and the cause of death was determined by synthesizing the results of the autopsy and the testimonies obtained through witness interrogation. Despite technical limitations, the investigative efforts of Joseon-era judges to resolve such cases rationally are commendable even by modern forensic standards. Investigations were carried out in a prescribed order, guided primarily by the Muwonrok, a foundationa manual of forensic procedure. This study examines a case involving a widow from a gentleman’s family who, burdened by immoral rumors, attempted suicide publicly and subsequently died at home. Through meticulou spost-mortem examination and additional witness interrogation, the coroner was able to demonstrate that—despite interference from the deceased’s family—the cause of death was not simply self-inflicted harm. Rather, it wasrevealed that the woman ingested a second dose of poison after the initial incident, which ultimately led to her death. This case provides valuable insight into the principles and procedural order by which causes of death were determined in the Korean Empire, a society that continued to uphold the traditional forensic systems inherited from the Joseon Dynasty.
KW - Joseon Dynasty;Post-mortem examination;Muwonrok;Suicide;Forensic anthropology
DO - 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
ER -
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. (2025). Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(2), 89-103.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. 2025, "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire", Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, vol.38, no.2 pp.89-103. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38.2 pp.89-103 (2025) : 89.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire. 2025; 38(2), 89-103. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.2 (2025) : 89-103.doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong; Lee, Soong Deok; Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(2), 89-103. doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong; Lee, Soong Deok; Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology. 2025; 38(2) 89-103. doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire. 2025; 38(2), 89-103. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.2 (2025) : 89-103.doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89