Department of Forensic Sciences

Sohtaro Mimasaka, M.D.

A Greeting from the Professor

Welcome to the official webpage of the Department of Forensic Sciences, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita City, Japan.
Forensic Sciences belongs to the field of Social Medicine. We perform approximately 150-250 forensic autopsies in Akita and its neighboring prefectures annually, and our department makes an important societal contribution owing to this. All our forensic autopsy cases are imaged using computerized tomography (CT) scans. This was introduced in April 2010 with the acquisition of a CT scanner for the exclusive use of body scanning in forensic autopsies. This allows for even greater scientific accuracy as all clinical autopsy findings are compared with these images. Personal identification of unidentified individuals is performed by a dentist who conducts radiographic examinations of the teeth. We are also responsible for clinical examination and evidence retrieval involving living crime victims, including abused children. In recent years, this aspect of our work has been referred to as "clinical forensic medicine".
We are heavily involved in the education of all the students belonging to the Faculty of Medicine. As part of this, we demonstrate many practical forensic cases to students during lectures and try to ensure that students develop a greater understanding of and respect for forensic medicine. Students are even able to observe forensic autopsies in small groups and receive additional training in the formulation of scientific case reports. Additionally, some of our staff are also responsible for providing further forensic medicine training and instruction to various divisions of the judiciary, administration, and other medical institutions.
From a research perspective, we try to continually contribute to the improvement of various diagnostic techniques, as well as conducting objective scientific studies in our department. Recent research conducted by current staff in our department include: severity evaluation of traumatic shock, evaluation technique of bruises on abused children, and personal identification utilizing dentistry findings. This department is ready for the system which can study a forensic case from various fields. We also hold joint conferences with the Department of Radiology in ongoing attempts to maximize our forensic accuracy, and to foster good interdepartmental relationships. As a result of these, collaborative investigations involving postmortem imaging are now a possibility.

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