[2021 Muyeongo Report] High Autopsy Probability for Muyeongo Deceased... Notes Saying 'Please Do Not'

<6> Their Final Resting Place

Interview with Detective Kim Jinsu of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Forensic Science Division

Kim Jin-su, a detective of the Forensic Science Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is being interviewed by Asia Economy.

[Asia Economy Special Coverage Team = Team Leader Ko Hyung-kwang, Reporters Yoo Byung-don, Jung Dong-hoon, Lee Jung-yoon] "The fact that someone has passed away is the same, but it is different whether there are family members who mourn or not. When there are bereaved families, the sorrow is shared, but in cases of unclaimed deaths, a sense of sadness overwhelms."

Sergeant Kim Jin-su of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Forensic Investigation Division became a police officer 21 years ago. He has spent 17 of those years in forensic investigation. When the first witness reports an incident and the 119 emergency responders confirm the death, they encounter unclaimed deceased individuals. Then, an investigation begins to determine the cause of death and other details. He serves as a guide to clarify whether a person who died a lonely death without family lived out their life fully and whether the death was related to any crime.

When a suspicious death occurs and they arrive at the scene, the first task is to identify the deceased. Identification is done through fingerprints by comparing the deceased’s fingerprints with those taken when issuing their resident registration card. Once identity is confirmed by fingerprints, the next step is to find family members. They check family relationship certificates and mobile phone records. Even after these efforts, if no family is found or if the family refuses to claim the body, the death is classified as unclaimed.

The presence or absence of bereaved family members does not change how forensic investigations are conducted. However, it certainly affects the speed of the investigation. Sergeant Kim said, "If there is family and they can be contacted, we can obtain hospital medical records and other information more quickly, which speeds up the investigation."

In cases of unclaimed deaths, the likelihood of an autopsy is higher. This is because it is often difficult to determine the cause of death solely from the scene and the postmortem examination. Without family, it is impossible to obtain statements about chronic illnesses or hospital treatments, and if there are no objective factors to clarify the cause of death, the body is sent to the National Forensic Service for an autopsy.

Perhaps because of this knowledge that unclaimed deceased individuals undergo autopsy, Sergeant Kim recalled a memorable scene. He said, "I once saw a will that requested, 'Please do not perform an autopsy as this is a natural death,'" adding, "Sometimes, even if they did not prepare for death in advance, they leave at least a line of writing before passing." There was also an unclaimed deceased who left funeral expenses behind. Sergeant Kim explained, "I remember the deceased as a woman in her 70s who left 2 to 3 million won in cash along with a will," and added, "She did not write lengthy explanations but simply wrote, 'Please use this for my funeral expenses.'"

He said that conducting investigations on unclaimed deaths often makes him reflect on himself. Sergeant Kim said, "After returning from the scene, I personally think, 'I should call my father,'" and added, "Sometimes I go about a week without contacting him, which makes me reflect on myself." Finally, Sergeant Kim expressed gratitude toward those who sincerely care for people living alone. He said, "Seeing social workers deeply saddened made me feel thankful even though I am not family," and added, "The number of single-person households will increase in the future, so I hope such welfare services will expand."

※This article was produced with government advertising fees supported by the Korea Press Foundation.