@article{ART003245719},
author={Sungwook Hong and Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon},
title={Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire},
journal={Anatomy & Biological Anthropology},
issn={2671-5651},
year={2025},
volume={38},
number={3},
pages={225-239}
TY - JOUR
AU - Sungwook Hong
AU - Lee, Soong Deok
AU - Shin, Dong Hoon
TI - Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire
JO - Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
PY - 2025
VL - 38
IS - 3
PB - 대한체질인류학회
SP - 225
EP - 239
SN - 2671-5651
AB - This study presents a forensic anthropological review of the investigation reports conducted four times concerning a death case that occurred in 1904 in Gwangju-bu, Korean Empire. In this case, the victim’s family alleged that the deceased had been beaten to death by individuals who were coercing him to join a merchants’ organization, prompting the authorities to begin an investigation. Initially, the forensic examinations did not reveal clear signs of physical assault, and there were no witnesses who had directly seen the victim being beaten. Furthermore, the suspects denied any involvement in the assault. As a result, the first two investigations concluded that the death had been caused by illness. However, during subsequent investigations, additional evidence of beating was discovered, and the suspects-who had previously denied the accusations-suddenly confessed. As a result, the final conclusion was revised to state that the cause of death was due to assault. This case exemplifies how, during the Joseon period (Korean Empire), the resolution of suspicious death cases required the convergence of three elements: testimonies of those involved, autopsy findings, and relevant legal clauses in documents such as the Muwonrok. Only when all three were consistent could a case be considered fully resolved. Notably, this case shows that even when a causal relationship seemed evident, courts would not acknowledge it unless all three criteria were met.
KW - Muwonrok;Joseon period;Korean Empire;Post-mortem examination record;Forensic anthropology
DO -
UR -
ER -
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. (2025). Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(3), 225-239.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. 2025, "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire", Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, vol.38, no.3 pp.225-239.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38.3 pp.225-239 (2025) : 225.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire. 2025; 38(3), 225-239.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.3 (2025) : 225-239.
Sungwook Hong; Lee, Soong Deok; Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(3), 225-239.
Sungwook Hong; Lee, Soong Deok; Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology. 2025; 38(3) 225-239.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok, Shin, Dong Hoon. Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire. 2025; 38(3), 225-239.
Sungwook Hong, Lee, Soong Deok and Shin, Dong Hoon. "Forensic Anthropological Analysis of Post-Mortem Examination Report on Jeong Gu Gap of Gwangju City in the Korean Empire" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.3 (2025) : 225-239.
1,
Lee, Soong Deok