Challenges

In the future, it is necessary to improve and systematize forensic medicine and efficiently functionalize it considering that forensic medicine is the foundation of the “support for the judicial system” from the perspective of crisis management and assistance for victims in the local communities and the prevention of false charges. Specifically, it is important to focus on the following issues 1) establishment of a social system that enables the performance of tasks related to medico-legal autopsy under social responsibilities and social contribution as one, 2) arrangement of infrastructure, facilities/equipment, and staff required for the same, 3) establishment of a budget based on practical achievements, and 4) disseminating information that ensures that these achievements receive appropriate evaluation as social contributions.

Further, apart from the standardization of medico-legal autopsy methods, the establishment of autopsy-related testing systems including forensic radiology, histopathology, toxicological chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology/serology; further, routine work is indispensable for on-the-job-training, self-evaluation, life-long learning, and third-party evaluation. Moreover, in the future, it is important to aim for the introduction of a certification system in line with international standards.