[Yuseongho's Wise Law Student Life] Her Death Was Homicide... The Trap of 'You Can Tell at a Glance!'

According to the cause of death statistics released by Statistics Korea in September 2021, there were 386 cases of death caused by others, i.e., homicide, in South Korea in 2020. This is a very low number compared to other countries. Statistically, fewer than one murder per 100,000 people occurs annually, which is remarkably low compared to developed countries such as the United States, excluding Japan, allowing us to take pride in living in a safe country. Nevertheless, when we encounter horrific murder cases in the media, we briefly shudder in fear.

Whether by strangulation, stabbing, or poisoning, unless tampered with, the victim's body clearly shows the form of the murder. However, in cases where there are no external injuries, such as drowning or poisoning, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of death without an autopsy. If the bereaved family or guardian opposes an autopsy and the death certificate is issued based solely on their word despite the cause of death being unclear, leading to cremation or burial, the case remains unsolved forever. Sometimes, the cause of death is not confirmed at the time of death but is revealed later.

Drowning is a type of asphyxial death caused by liquid (溺水) entering the airway, blocking the terminal airway or alveoli. It often occurs in places like rivers or the sea, but sometimes it is intentionally caused by submerging someone in water to force them to inhale it, which is a form of torture. The death of Park Jong-cheol, a martyr in 1987, is connected to this context.

One day, a detective came by regarding an incident related to a local dance academy. The dance academy in the detective’s area was a specialized preparatory school attended by high school students dreaming of becoming dancers. There were six students in total; they attended regular school during the day, and after classes, five students learned dance while one student stayed at the academy for boarding due to family financial difficulties. Student A was the one boarding at the academy.

One day, A went to the bathroom to wash up but did not come out for a long time. Concerned, another student and the academy director knocked on the door, and when there was no response, they opened it and found A unconscious on the floor. They immediately called 119, and paramedics performed CPR while transporting A to a nearby small hospital. The hospital doctor declared A dead, noting no heartbeat or consciousness, and took a chest CT to determine the cause of death. The doctor said they did not know the exact cause and suggested an autopsy. What was the cause of death of this teenage high school girl who collapsed and died in the bathroom? Following the doctor’s recommendation, an autopsy was performed by a veteran doctor with extensive experience. A’s body had many wounds. However, the academy director explained that A sometimes self-harmed due to emotional instability caused by her difficult family situation and expressed regret, which the police accepted. The autopsy report was sent to the police two weeks later, stating the cause of death as unknown.

Years later, the police received an anonymous letter stating that the academy director had abused all six students, forcibly submerged A’s face in a water-filled plastic bag, and abused her to death. The letter said the writer was too afraid to speak out at the time because they were threatened not to reveal the truth. The police initially thought it was unlikely given the autopsy and suspected the letter was from someone emotionally unstable. However, the letter was so detailed that they could not ignore it and decided to consult the prosecution and request a re-examination.

They reviewed the original autopsy report, photos, chest CT images, and investigation materials. The autopsy photos showed fine white foam at the nose and mouth (a finding seen in relatively fresh drowning victims, caused by water mixing with mucus in the airway and lungs during spasmodic breathing, which becomes more evident with CPR). The lungs were filled with water, pushing the air to the edges, showing hydrostatic pulmonary edema. The CT scan showed fluid in the airway and proximal bronchi, old fractures on both ribs, and subcutaneous hemorrhage on the scalp. These were typical signs of drowning and abuse.

A few days later, when the autopsy report was delivered to the police, they were visibly surprised. Further investigation revealed that the other five students had been silenced through persuasion and threats and continued to be abused for a considerable time. Five years after A’s death, the academy closed. The unmarried director married, had children, and became an ordinary mother. The other five students grew up and lived their own lives, and one of them eventually overcame fear and submitted the anonymous letter to the police.

The prosecution charged the director with seven counts: assault resulting in death, special injury, extortion, injury, coercion, violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abuse), and special assault. In the first trial, the director admitted all charges, expressed remorse, and had no prior record, receiving a seven-year sentence. Both the prosecution and the director appealed, claiming the sentence was unfair. The appellate court increased the sentence by one year to eight years, stating that a precious life was sacrificed before it could fully bloom due to merciless acts. This occurred two years after the initial autopsy report was issued.

Personally, I had some regrets about the sentencing but found solace in the realization that justice was served. However, one thing still bothers me: why did the experienced doctor fail to detect drowning? Probably due to preconceived notions. I can only think that the statement that the victim collapsed in the bathroom influenced the doctor’s judgment. When we repeatedly do familiar tasks, we may develop a feeling of “I can tell at a glance!” but we must always remember that such feelings can hinder accurate and proper work. It makes us realize how difficult it is to maintain a beginner’s mind and do our best in our duties.

Yoo Seong-ho, Forensic Scientist