National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)

Regulations

Regulations Regarding the Rendering of Forensic Pathology Service, 2018

5. Attending to death scene

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The Service is responsible for attending and participating in the death scene investigation, which may include, but is not limited to:

(a)Managing a request for forensic pathology service response.
(b)Assessing the scene of death in a given situation, this may include any private, public or business premises, vessel, train, motor vehicle or aircraft, where death has occurred for the purposes of conducting a comprehensive death scene investigation.
(c)Performing forensic pathology activities associated with the scene of death in terms of the relevant scope of practice including:
(i)Declaring death in the following obviously dead cases - decapitation, gross mutilation, putrefaction, and charring;
(ii)Examining the body on scene and recording of the incident for the purposes of forensic investigation which includes but may not be limited to photography, sketching, and documentation;
(iii)Interviewing any relevant party, including the next of kin and recording the medical history and relevant information pertaining to the deceased;
(iv)Obtaining medical records of the deceased from any party or source where relevant; and
(v)Assess, handle, collect preserve and record evidence in line with forensic pathology service procedural requirements.