The real status of sudden infant death (SIDS) in forensic medicine.

To comprehend the real status of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in forensic medicine, a statistical study was conducted on 156 cases subjected to medico-legal autopsies at university medical schools throughout Japan from 1987 to 1991 and diagnosed as SIDS. Furthermore, 138 cases that had been subjected to autopsies at the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office and given the diagnosis of SIDS were evaluated for comparison. It was noted that the incidence of SIDS diagnosed at each facility has increased.