Legal Medicine Information System using CDISC ODM.

We have developed a new database system for forensic autopsies, called the Legal Medicine Information System, using the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) Operational Data Model (ODM). This system comprises two subsystems, namely the Institutional Database System (IDS) located in each institute and containing personal information, and the Central Anonymous Database System (CADS) located in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center containing only anonymous information. CDISC ODM is used as the data transfer protocol between the two subsystems. Using the IDS, forensic pathologists and other staff can register and search for institutional autopsy information, print death certificates, and extract data for statistical analysis. They can also submit anonymous autopsy information to the CADS semi-automatically. This reduces the burden of double data entry, the time-lag of central data collection, and anxiety regarding legal and ethical issues. Using the CADS, various studies on the causes of death can be conducted quickly and easily, and the results can be used to prevent similar accidents, diseases, and abuse.