Referral of Cases to Forensic Pathology Services
Referral of cases to Forensic Pathology Services
The following cases need to be referred to Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) for medico-legal investigation of death:*
Any death due to physical or chemical effect, direct or indirect, and / or related complications.
Any death, including those deaths which would normally be considered to be a death due to natural causes, which in the opinion of the medical practitioner, has been the result of an act of commission or omission which may be criminal in nature.
Where the death is sudden and unexpected, or unexplained or where the cause of death is not apparent.
Procedure-related death(s) (“The death of a person undergoing, or as a result of, a procedure of a therapeutic, diagnostic or palliative nature, or of which any aspect of such a procedure has been a contributory cause…”)**
Some guidelines
- No consent needed from family.
- Complete the necessary documentation (FPS 100) and send it along with copies of hospital records and results of special investigations to FPS.
- Please document carefully in notes if any medical or surgical intervention was undertaken (e.g. emergency thoracotomy, suturing of stab wounds, etc.)
- Leave all medical equipment (tubes, lines, etc.) in situ.
- In cases of “sudden and unexpected” or unexplained deaths:
- Obtain collateral information from relatives or friends.
- Obtain previous medical history from the hospital folder.
- If a reasonable conclusion can be made as to a probable NATURAL cause of death and no suspicion of foul play exists -> do an external examination of the body -> if no evidence of injury -> complete notification of death certificate.
- If cause of death remains unexplained, or if there is any indication that it is an unnatural cause of death -> refer the case to FPS -> do not complete the death notification form, only the death declaration form.
- Attending senior clinician to provide his/her contact details on these forms.
- Phone the relevant Forensic Pathology Services for advice if any uncertainty exists.
*as defined in the Regulations of the National Health Act, No. 61 of 2003
**Health Professions Amendment Act, No. 29 of 2007