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Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Yang Joi of Buan County in the Korean Empire

  • Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
  • Abbr : Anat Biol Anthropol
  • 2025, 38(2), pp.89~103
  • DOI : 10.11637/aba.2025.38.2.89
  • Publisher : 대한체질인류학회
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Anatomy
  • Received : April 16, 2025
  • Accepted : May 28, 2025
  • Published : June 30, 2025

Sungwook Hong 1 Lee, Soong Deok ORD ID 2 Shin, Dong Hoon 2

1순천향대학교 인문학연구소
2서울대학교 법의학연구소

Accredited

ABSTRACT

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.

Citation status

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