National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)RegulationsRegulations Regarding the Rendering of Forensic Pathology Service, 201818. Medico legal investigation of specific categories of unnatural deaths |
| (1) | The South African Police Service must immediately notify the Head of the Clinical Department or Unit: Forensic Pathology of the region or province, of the following fatalities:— |
| (a) | fatalities associated with aircraft accidents, mass disasters, scuba- or other diving-related incidents; |
| (b) | the deaths of persons who die whilst detained by the South African Police Service or who died as a result of police action; and |
| (c) | the deaths of person who die of unnatural causes whilst in the custody of the Department of Correctional Services. |
| (2) | The post mortem examination of the deaths contemplated in sub-regulation (1), may only be performed by a forensic pathologist, as designated by the Head of Clinical Department or Unit: Forensic Pathology. |
| (3) | The post mortem examination of persons contemplated in sub-regulation (1)(ii), may only be performed after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate have been informed of that death. |
| (4) | The investigation of the following specific categories of unnatural deaths must be managed in consultation with a regional specialist forensic pathologist:— |
| (a) | acts of terrorism; |
| (b) | suspected Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants (SUDI); |
| (c) | the death of a child due to suspected non-accidental injury or neglect; |
| (d) | the presumed homicidal death of any member of the South African National Defence Force and South African Police Service; |
| (e) | fatalities where sexual assault is suspected; |
| (f) | the death of a person while attending a traditional initiation school; |
| (g) | the unnatural death of any resident in public or private institution, which includes but is not limited to: psychiatric facilities; places of safety; drug and addiction rehabilitation facilities; refugee facilities; older persons care facilities; facilities for the physically and mentally challenged. |