Leg found in Incheon matches DNA of nursing hospital patient

Police in Incheon, South Korea, have launched a major investigation after a human leg was discovered at a waste processing center in Songdo-dong. The leg has been identified as belonging to an 80-year-old patient undergoing treatment at a local nursing hospital.

Genetic testing conducted by the National Forensic Service confirmed that the DNA from the leg matches that of the patient. The patient reportedly had a leg amputation surgery recently due to necrosis. The hospital voluntarily reported the patient after the discovery, and their DNA was collected for comparison.

The initial discovery on June 10, during waste sorting at the resource recovery center, triggered a large-scale police response. A task force of 64 investigators was formed, initially considering possibilities of a minor or female victim based on the foot size. Police also collected black box footage from transport vehicles and analyzed CCTV footage from the waste collection area.

Authorities do not suspect criminal foul play regarding the leg's origin. However, the hospital is under investigation for allegedly violating waste management laws by disposing of the medical waste as recyclable material instead of as medical refuse. The hospital claims the leg was placed in a medical waste bin but was mistakenly discarded as recyclable waste by a cleaning staff member who misidentified it as plaster. Police are also examining whether the amputation surgery itself, performed without a surgical room or anesthesiologist at the nursing hospital, violated medical laws.