The starting point of the statute of limitations for prosecution of the crime of abandonment of a corpse by omission

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13549
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 05050:Criminal law-related
• Research Institution: Kokugakuin University (2023); Kobe Gakuin University (2019-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Yamashita Hiroki 國學院大學, 法学部, 准教授 (20817150)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 死体遺棄罪 / 公訴時効 / 犯罪の終了時期 / 不作為犯

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examines the starting point of the statute of limitations for prosecution for the crime of abandonment of a corpse by omission, which is realized when a person who is obligated to bury a corpse fails to bury the corpse. The generally accepted theory say that in the case of abandonment of a corpse by omission the crime is not completed and the statute of limitations for prosecution is not completed. This study opposes this position. Through a discussion of the purpose of the statute of limitations system under the Code of Criminal Procedure, a discussion of the termination of the crime in Germany, and an interpretation of the crime of abandonment of a corpse in Japan, this study shows that the starting point of the statute of limitations for prosecution even in the cace of abandonment of a corpse by omission exist.

Free Research Field

刑法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来の見解（不作為犯の場合、作為義務者が作為義務を履行できる限りにおいて犯罪は終了しない）は、作為犯として訴因設定し起訴できる事案を、不作為犯として（再）構成することで、公訴時効制度の実質的撤廃を可能とするものであり、被疑者・被告人に多大な不利益を与えるものである。本研究成果は、近年主張されている「不作為犯構成（作為犯として起訴できる事案であっても、不作為犯として起訴することを許す考え方）」に対して警鐘を鳴らし、不作為犯においても犯罪の終了時期が存在することを示すことで、不作為犯構成による公訴時効の実質的撤廃に歯止めをかけるものである。