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

Regulations

Purchase

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.