national forensic service republic of korea

In the early days, autopsy reports were managed as grade three confidential document, but since 1961, as the document retention level has changed into just general level documents, the institute reclassified documents while notifying each front office for the reports already distributed.

Published and distributed a brochure to publicize the status of NFS analysis services domestically and internationally

Our institute succeeded in the detection of methadone using a novel test method, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which was first applied in South Korea. On September 8, the director, Wu Sang-deok was awarded the prime minister's commendation, and the drug deputy director, Lee Chang-gi was awarded a presidential medal.

On February 20, 1977, 13 years after the relocation to the Cheongun-dong office, the institute moved to the tobacco manufacturing factory building of the old Monopoly Bureau at 209, Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

From April 1, a lie detective inspector was hired to conduct polygraph testing in earnest. The lie detector had attracted the attention of the public in South Korea due to a child (Lee) abduction case occurred in the jurisdiction of the Mapo Police Station in 1981.

As part of the 30th anniversary project, the institute published a 30-year history of the institution in order to compile its growth and development process and use as a reference record for future development.

Our institute has established the "Oath of NFS employees" by collecting opinions from the Korea Institute of Mental and Cultural Studies in order to establish the career philosophy of employees and to raise the level of pride as a scientific investigation institute.

In 1993, a methamphetamine detection method for hair was first established in South Korea, and it is now possible to detect the drug that has been taken from a long time in the past.

On June 29, 1995, there was a major disaster that caused the Sampoong Department Store to collapse in an instant. This accident is the first case in South Korea to apply genetic (DNA) analysis for massive deaths. For the first time in Korean constitutional history, the accredited death system was applied through the accredited death committee.

On June 27, 1997, a western branch office was opened in Jangseong-gun, Jeonnam due to the need to quickly respond to various violent incidents and accidents occurring in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeju and the need to expand the infrastructure of analysis services by region.

From 1998 to 2002, the NFS and KIST successfully conducted the crime identification and prevention technology development project in collaboration. Due to the latest analysis technique developed through this project, the NFS has become a world-class institute.

Aseptic autopsy room with constant temperature, constant humidity and antibacterial system was first opened in South Korea.

On October 25, 2000, our institute and the British Council signed a Korea-UK forensic science technology agreement for human exchange and mutual technology information exchange in order to pursue the development of forensic science. On December 7 to 8, the 1st Korea-UK Joint Forensic Science Symposium was held.

On June 20, 2001, the drug analysis division was designated as an International Drug Standard Laboratory by the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP), which is an international proficiency testing authority.

Our institute has newly defined the institute mark based on Article 145 of the sub-regulation. The eagle (yellow) symbolizes the progressive and ambitious spirit of the institute. The leaf of rose of Sharon (green) symbolizes the endless development of the Republic of Korea and the institute. The book symbolizes the academic research institute. The shield (blue) symbolizes the authority of the institute. Additionally, the cross (white) symbolizes the constant effort and luminous achievements. The outstretched lines (black) mean the improvement with honest, accuracy, fairness, and rapidity. The ribbon (black letters in yellow background) symbolizes the banner and activity of the institute. The genuine knot means unity.

On February 18, 2003, a Daegu subway fire broke out. Our institute conducted precise inspections for the goods left at the site with regard to personal identification, and informed the Accident Response Headquarters of a total of 142 accredited deaths.

In 2004, the institute produced and distributed a blood sampling container set for blood alcohol concentration containing antiseptic and non-alcoholic disinfectant cotton inside, thereby enhancing the convenience and reliability of blood alcohol concentration assessment.

Through four years of research, our institute has obtained the reference standards that are necessary to estimate the writing time based on writing instruments, has established an estimation technique and starting in April 2004, performs analysis on the writing time.

On December 26, 2004, a tsunami hit the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, causing massive loss of lives and property damage. Our institute sent an forensic analysis team to Thailand for the identification of Korean missing persons and provided assistance for record of missing persons and unidentified missing persons.

In August 2005, the 43rd meeting of the International Toxicological Society (TLAFT) was held in Korea for the second time in Asia. As the International Toxicology Society is the most prestigious society in the world, the International Toxicology Society meeting held in Korea was an opportunity to establish and develop the international status of our institute.

In consideration of the publicity and functions of the NFS, the administrative and financial autonomy has been partially guaranteed as per Presidential Decree No. 19230, and the NFS was newly designated as a responsible administration agency responsible for its operational performance.

With rising incidents and cases due to the rapid increase in population and tourists, the Jeju Office of the NFS was opened on July 19, 2020, to establish an on-site investigation system

The 「Act on Use and Protection of DNA Identification Information」 is one of the measures for the eradication of violent crimes. It is a method to manage the DNA identification information of criminals who are at high risk of recidivism, thereby using it for rapid arrestment of the criminals. It was established in 2009 and enforced in 2010. Through this, the arrest rate of violent crimes such as sexual assault crimes has increased, and the DNA database has been contributing to scientific investigations, including the arrest of perpetrators of cold cases.

The NFS held an AFSN plenary meeting, which is a meeting of Asian forensic scientists. More than 250 members of 18 analysis agencies in 11 Asian countries joined with the aim to take part in mutual development by sharing scientific investigation information.

The main NFS opened in Wonju is located in a 4-story building with one underground level. The institute mainly performs analysis of various incidents and accidents requiring precise examination and research and education. The main office in Seoul will be reorganized into Seoul NFS and will be responsible for incidents and accidents occurring in the metropolitan area, providing community-based services.

The NFS briefed the results of the examination for the cause of the death of Ryu Byeong-Eon, the former chairman of Semo group. Yoo Byeong-eun, was found dead in the Seoul Institute. The autopsy examining the left femur length, estimated height, the bone defect at the tip of the left second finger, and tooth and DNA analysis results confirmed that the dead body was Ryu, but despite analysis for poison, asphyxia, chronic disease, and outside force, the cause of death was impossible to determine due to the sever decay.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding, the NFS held an International Forensic Expo near the NFS main office in Wonju from May 27 to 29, 2015 in order to spread Korean scientific investigations through the Korean forensic science system. About 50 police officers, senior police officers and policy department heads related to scientific investigations from 24 countries in the Middle East and Asia participated in the event. The expo provided an opportunity for participants to feel the excellence of Korean-style scientific investigations and expended substantial exchange and cooperation in the field.