Division and Department

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, Japan.
Forensic Sciences is a field of Social and Environmental Medicine. We perform approximately 150–250 forensic autopsies annually in Akita Prefecture and neighboring regions, contributing substantially to the local community through the determination of cause of death and personal identification. All autopsy cases underwent postmortem computed tomography (CT) imaging prior to examination, enabling a comprehensive evaluation combining autopsy and imaging findings.
From a research perspective, we emphasize the investigation of issues arising from forensic autopsies and injury examinations encountered in practice. Our goal is to introduce an objective, scientific evaluation of areas previously reliant on experience and subjective judgment, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.
We regularly hold joint forensic CT conferences with the Department of Radiology, which not only enhances diagnostic capability but also generates new research ideas.

Staff

Professor:
Akira HAYAKAWA, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor:
Kie HORIOKA, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor:
Maki OHTANI, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Research Areas

  1. Forensic Pathology
  2. Postmortem Imaging (Postmortem CT)
  3. Forensic Odontology and Personal Identification
  4. Molecular Pathology of Sudden Cardiac Death
  5. Accidental Hypothermia

Contact Information

Professor Akira Hayakawa
1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, JAPAN
E-mail: a.hayakawa@med.akita-u.ac.jp

Most Recent Achievements

  1. Mimasaka S, Oshima T, Ohtani M. Visualization of old bruises in children: Use of violet light to record long-term bruises. Forensic Sci Int. 2018 Jan; 282:74-78.
  2. Oshima T, Ohtani M, Mimasaka S. Injury patterns of fatal bear attacks in Japan: A description of seven cases. Forensic Sci Int. 286: e14-e19. 2018.
  3. Oshima T, Ohtani M, Mimasaka S. Muscular hemorrhages around the scapula resulting from excessive upper extremity motion in cases of fatal drowning: autopsy findings for insights on manner of death. Forensic Sci Int. 300:82-84, 2019.
  4. Mimasaka S. Current situation of child abuse in Japan and attempt of obtaining evidence of the bruise of child abuse. Russian J Forensic Med. 2020; 6, 31-34.
  5. Oshima T, Yoshikawa H, Yoshitomi T, Ohtani M, Mimasaka S. A Case of Personal Identification Via Postmortem Computed Tomography Confirmation of Aphakic Eyes. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Mar;41(1):60-63. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000534.
  6. Oshima T, Ohtani M, Mimasaka S. Back hemorrhage in bath-related deaths: Insights into the mechanism of bath-related deaths. Forensic Sci Int. 2020 Mar;308:110146. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110146. Epub 2020 Jan 13.
  7. Oshima T, Ohtani M, Mimasaka S. Muscular Hemorrhages Around the Scapula Provide Insight on the Manner of Asphyxia: A Preliminary Study. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2021 Jun 1;42(2):130-134. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000655.PMID: 33491945
  8. Suzuki S, Ohtani M, Matsuo Y, Yoshida M, Goto A, Fukuda M, Mimasaka S. A forensic autopsy case: Sudden unexpected death due to cardiac inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Leg Med (Tokyo). 2021 Nov;53:101931. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.101931. Epub 2021 Jun 12.PMID: 34147823

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