Master of Medicine in Forensic Pathology

To supply South Africa with a sufficient number of well-trained, competent forensic pathologists to perform medico-legal autopsies in terms of the Inquest Act and the Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health Services Professions Act. Some of these forensic pathologists will contribute to the academic needs, such as training health professionals and conducting research. A great need exits in South Africa for forensic pathologists in the regional centres where inadequate autopsies have often been performed in the past, largely by part-time district surgeons. Qualified forensic pathologists will also serve the judicial process in the following categories: As witnesses, expert witnesses and assessors in trials and Inquests.

This qualification forms part of the credentialing process, for medical practitioners, as specialists in forensic pathology. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) stipulates training requirements, including a minimum period of experiential learning. It is usual for the summative assessment to be taken and passed prior to the completion of the required period of supervised learning specified by the HPCSA. The aim of this qualification is to meet the needs for formal summative assessment certification, as well as to set standards, nationally, for such a qualification (equivalent qualifications may be offered by the country's eight (8) medical schools).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Barchelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8, 480 Credits.

1. Be able to carry out a medico-legal autopsy, interpret and explain findings and consequences to courts, as well as in evaluation of Inquest dockets to assist judges and magistrates in coming to conclusions and verdicts.
2. Be able to participate in multi-disciplinary settings.
3. Be able to participate in lifelong learning and teaching.
4. Be able to participate in and use Research.
5. Be able to maintain professional and ethical attitudes.

Be able to describe findings at medico-legal autopsy, and correlate it with evidence obtained by investigating officers.

• Be able to describe the abnormal findings of trauma, complications that may follow as well as correlate it with clinical histories and treatment protocols supplied by Health Care Workers involved with treatment of patients.
• Be able to describe the epidemiology, aetiology, and forensic pathology relating to trauma and violence, and changing trends in the community. Be able to convey these findings to authorities who will be able to use it in formulating preventative measures.
• Be able to give evidence in court in a logical and calm fashion which will be understood by the judges, magistrates, lawyers and accused learners.
• Be able to deal with bereaved relatives who may need counselling or referral to counselling services.
• Be able to assess scenes of crime or accidents, especially aircraft accidents, correlate it with autopsy findings and discuss it with investigating authorities in order to determine causes of accidents, murders, etc.
• Be able to participate in and contribute to health promotion and trauma prevention.

2.

• Be able to apply all legislation relevant to forensic practice and pathology.
• Be able to compile adequate autopsy reports which reflect accurately and objectively findings at medico-legal autopsies.
• Be able to share knowledge, experience, skills and understanding and encourage others to acquire new skills.
• Be able to be aware of and facilitate the processes and interactions that occur in groups and organisational settings.
• Be able to coordinate autopsy and microscopic findings by interacting with all other role players including the police, detectives, officials from the Department of Justice, other health professionals, medical staff, statutory and other non-governmental organisations, and those involved formally in prevention of violence and crime.
• Be able to participate in the management of medico-legal services and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Be able to collaborate with and support primary health care practitioners with regard to clinical forensic medical practice, especially dealing with rape and child abuse survivors.
• Be able to write legal documents for court or other proceedings and other medico-legal, clinical and management documents.
• Be able to access and assess both new and familiar information critically, process it into a useful form and share it with health care colleagues at all levels in ongoing teaching activities. This includes the evaluation of published research and other forensic pathology data.
• Be able to communicate effectively in lectures and seminars and to write clearly and meaningfully.
• Be able to initiate planning and promotion of programs for medico-legal practice within a community context.
• Be able to identify areas in the field that require further research in order to extend and strengthen the knowledge base.
• Be able to plan and carry out research projects.
• Be able to critically evaluate current research findings in order to practice "Evidence based forensic medicine and pathology".
• Be able to commit to the ethical and human aspects of forensic medicine, and the public and media as partners in the fight against violence and crime.
• Be able to be open to and available to the needs of the community at large, and individuals who have been traumatised by the sudden and unexpected violent death of loved ones.
• Be able to demonstrate genuine care, concern and compassion for bereaved relatives.
• Be able to support and counsel colleagues and police officials under stress from unpleasant nature of their work.
• Be able to ensure that the relatives, investigating officers and the courts understand the nature of the autopsy findings.
• Be able to observe confidentiality and be aware of the ethical and legal responsibilities of forensic practice.
• Be able to be committed to the relatives as partners in the healing process after bereavement experiences.
• Be able to support, in a non-judgmental manner, their attempts to deal with the situation when appropriate, ensure that the family understands the nature of the pathology findings.
• Be able to maintain an adequate level of professional competence.
• Be aware of personal and professional limitations.
• Be able to request assistance timeously when appropriate.
• Be able to reflect on one's own reactions to the traumatic and stressful nature of forensic pathology and how this can affect interaction with colleagues, police officials and the public.
• Be able to consistently apply the highest professional and ethical standards, regardless of the situation or pressures that may apply.
• Be able to be aware of scope and limitations of forensic pathology.
• Be able to be committed to the education of others.
• Be able to interact with colleagues in a professional and ethical manner.
• Be able to be sensitive and respond to the emotional needs of one's colleagues.
• Be able to be willing to share specialised knowledge and understanding of forensic medicine and pathology.
• Be able to communicate with colleagues in other disciplines and levels of care, who may even have been involved in the causation of iatrogenic deaths.
• Be able to be sensitive to the differing needs of the members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Be able to pursue independent learning in an ongoing fashion.
• Be able to explore the field with an open and enquiring mind.
• Be able to leave established positions if shown to be untenable.
• Be able to think and solve problems for oneself rather than merely seeking answers.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment to ensure the purpose of the degree is achieved

Certification by the head of the learner's training qualification that they have completed at least 3 years of a full-time post internship training as a registrar in forensic pathology in the academic teaching department of the University of Cape Town, and completed Part 1 of the summative assessment.

Written summative assessments

Part 1

a) One 3-hour closed book summative assessment paper covering basic anatomical pathology, as well as systemic pathology.

b) One 3-hour closed book practical microscopic summative assessment consisting of 20 histological slides.

c) One oral summative assessment with two internal and one external examiner.

Part 2

a) Two 3-hour closed book summative assessment papers in forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine.

b) One 3-hour medico-legal autopsy summative assessment, with attendance of one internal examiner conducting a semi-oral summative assessment on the pathology findings. Relevant histological specimens to be submitted for processing and microscopic summative assessment. Autopsy report, histological report and full discussion as if resulting in a formal Inquest submitted for assessment by internal and external examiner.

c) One 3-hour practical microscopic summative assessment of problematic histology slides applicable to forensic pathology.

D) One oral summative assessment with one internal and one external examiner.

Submission of a dissertation based on a research project carried out by the Learner in the field of forensic pathology.