Division and Department

Department of Forensic Sciences

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. Tozuka M, Fukuda H, Ohtani M, Asari R, Iizawa T, Matsuo Y, Hosoya T, Horioka K, Hayakawa A. Usefulness of three-dimensional reconstruction imaging in understanding acute aortic dissection pathogenesis extending to the coronary artery: A case report. Forensic Imaging 2026; 45: 200820.
  2. Kaimori R, Sakai K, Hayata R, Kageyama N, Yano S, Asakura K, Hayakawa A, Nishida H, Ro A, Mizukami H, Hayashi K, Mori S. Two autopsy cases of superficial siderosis: ultrastructural similarity across traumatic and non-traumatic contexts and forensic uncertainties. Legal Medicine 2026; 82: 102835.
  3. Fukuda H, Hayakawa A, Takahashi Y, Tokue H, Sano R. Myocardial calcification revealed by postmortem computed tomography in a case of infantile myocardial ischemia caused by anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Legal Medicine 2026; 80: 102743.
  4. Hashida T, Mimasaka S, Matsuo Y, Ohtani M, Hayakawa A. Acute appendicitis in a malpositioned appendix leading to retroperitoneal abscess and sepsis: a forensic autopsy case. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 2025 [Epub ahead of print].
  5. Deguchi T, Tanaka H, Horioka K, Matsuhisa C, Hayakawa A, Takauji S, Watanabe S, Goto M, Fujii Y, Takasawa K, Takasawa A. Heat stroke-induced hepatic lipid dysregulation: histological and lipidomic insights. Medical Molecular Morphology 2025 [Epub ahead of print].
  6. Horioka K, Tanaka H, Watanabe S, Yamada S, Takauji S, Hayakawa A, Isozaki S, Okaba K, Ishii N, Motomura A, Inoue H, Addo L, Yajima D, Takahashi Y, Druid H, Pakanen L, Porvari K. FATP1-mediated fatty acid uptake in renal tubular cells as a countermeasure for hypothermia. Journal of Molecular Medicine 2025; 103: 403-419.
  7. Horioka K, Tanaka H, Hayakawa A, Takahashi Y, Druid H, Pakanen L, Porvari K. Hypothermia drives fatty acid transporter 1 upregulation and lipid accumulation in renal tubules: evidence from forensic cases. International Journal of Legal Medicine 2025; 139: 3039-3049.
  8. Hatakeyama K, Otani T, Satoh K, Tsuchida H, Tozawa T, Konno M, Suzuki S, Tezuka T, Mugikura S, Hayakawa A, Yamada T, Nakae H, Mori N. CT-based assessment of bear-inflicted maxillofacial injuries: evaluation using the facial injury severity scale and its association with hospitalization duration. Japanese Journal of Radiology 2025; 43: 1812-1821.
  9. Fukuda H, Fukushima K, Takahashi Y, Hayakawa A, Tokue H, Obana Y, Iwahara K, Tsuzuki T, Yokoo S, Sano R. Unexpected death from air embolism during routine dental procedure: A case report. Legal Medicine 2025; 77: 102674.
  10. Suzuki S, Ohtani M, Matsuo Y, Fukuda M, Mimasaka S. Asphyxia due to blood aspiration caused by maxillofacial injury with alcohol consumption: A forensic autopsy case report and feedback from a forensic medicine perspective. Oral Science International 2025; 22: e1289.
  11. Fukuda H, Kubo R, Tokue H, Hayakawa A, Sano R, Kominato Y. Visualization of left common carotid artery injury by glass using postmortem virtual angioscopy. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 2025; 21: 1012-1015.
  12. Suzuki S, Ohtani M, Matsuo Y, Fukuda M, Mimasaka S. Stature estimation based on the mandibular bone measurements using three-dimensional images from postmortem computed tomography in a Japanese population. Legal Medicine 2025; 72: 102566.
  13. Suzuki S, Ohtani O, Matsuo Y, Fukuda M, Mimasaka S. Stature estimation based on vertical measurements of the skull using three-dimensional images from postmortem computed tomography in a Japanese population. Forensic Imaging 2025; 41: 200628.
  14. Fukuda H, Tokue H, Hayakawa A, Kominato Y, Sano R. Superimposed imaging of knife and stab wound relationships through pre-autopsy and intra-autopsy computed tomography integration: A case report. Cureus 2024; 16: e66720.
  15. Fukuda H, Tokue H, Shiraishi M, Hayakawa A, Sano R. Assessment of myocardial ischemia using coronary postmortem computed tomography angiography based on the Voronoi algorithm: A case report. Cureus 2024; 16: e64565.

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