A request has been filed to review whether it was appropriate for the police to close a preliminary investigation into the death of a 44-month-old girl in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, seven years ago.

According to media reports yesterday (Sept. 13), the father of the victim, identified as A, filed for a police investigation review with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 7th of this month. A died from head injuries on June 28, 2019.

The father, B, asked for a review to determine whether the Seongbuk Police Station's decision in April to close the case as "no charges" after finding no criminal liability during the preliminary investigation stage was appropriate.

B's application argues that it was inappropriate for the police to treat the death as an unverified death rather than launching a formal investigation, given that A's entire body was covered in bruises and wounds, which had led emergency medical staff to suspect child abuse.

Furthermore, B argued that a thorough investigation into suspected abuse by the stepmother and others must be conducted, considering that testimonies from A's older sister at a Sunflower Center indicated the stepmother fed A spicy sauces such as hot sauce as a form of punishment, and that the National Forensic Service (NFS) detected capsaicin in A's blood during an autopsy.

The NFS stated in its autopsy report, "Although it cannot be directly linked to the cause of death, it is presumed that a considerable amount of capsaicin was ingested," adding, "It is questionable whether A could have consumed this on her own."

The report also noted, "Head injuries played a major role in the death, along with a pre-existing deterioration in general condition, such as severe dehydration. The mechanism of the head injuries is difficult to pinpoint from the autopsy findings alone, and no clues suggesting the intervention of another person were confirmed."

However, it added, "Signs of abuse by another person cannot be completely ruled out, as aspects difficult to view as self-inflicted—such as the detection of capsaicin—were also identified."

Photos of A attached to the NFS appraisal report show bruises and subcutaneous hemorrhages across her entire body, including her head, torso, and both arms and legs.

B, who explained that it was difficult for him to directly confirm signs of abuse due to frequent business trips, emphasized based on the NFS report that an investigation is necessary into how the child ingested hot sauce and the causes of her head injuries and full-body trauma.

B stated, "I am not asking to establish criminal liability for a specific person, but rather that an investigation review is needed regarding the appropriateness of the police's previous decision to close the case and the necessity for further investigation."

An investigation review is a procedure that case parties, such as complainants or accusers, can request if they believe there was unfairness or impropriety in investigative procedures or outcomes.

If the request is deemed appropriate, an investigation review committee consisting of external experts such as lawyers and legal scholars will be convened.

Through the review, instructions such as "supplementary or reinvestigation," "prompt handling," or "transfer and reassignment of department or office" can be issued.

While not legally binding, it is difficult to reject without justifiable reasons.

(Photo provided by victim A's father, Yonhap News)