Abstract: Objective To summarize the pattern and main characteristics of fatal cases related to medical disputes in Yancheng area. Methods Sixty fatal cases of medical disputes were retrospectively analyzed to elucidate the annual incidence, characters of distribution of hospitals, gender and age of the decedents, types of diseases, and cause of death. Results Among 60 fatal cases, most cases happened in health clinics of county, township and village. There were more males than females. The major medical specialties involved included internal medicine, surgery, gynecology and pediatrics, with the internal medicine specialty having the highest incidence. Conclusion Police institutions have advantages in investigation of these cases in their jurisdictions, which could enhance the ability of local medicolegal examination.

Key words: forensic pathology, autopsy, cause of death, medical disputes, Yancheng area