Masters in Forensic Pathology

Forensic specialist practitioners are in short supply in South Africa. The Masters in Medicine (Forensic Pathology) is the specialty training programme for registrars (residents) training to become specialist forensic pathologists. Only qualified medical practitioners enter into Registrarship and currently there are 4 registrars in this department.

Specialist forensic pathologists are practitioners who are competent in forensic diagnosis, both macroscopic and microscopic, and are able to independently conduct forensic medical examinations, and arrive at objective conclusions as to nature, cause, mechanism and manner of injury, morbidity and death, provide expert opinion upon their findings, and conduct teaching and research in the field.

Graduates equipped with the specialised knowledge and competence in the science and practice of forensic medicine and pathology, are then registered with the HPCSA as a specialist. The training programme intends to provide graduates with the foundations for professional practice, engagement with the research process and continued professional and scientific growth. The broader aim is to provide an improved health service to the population, part of the University and the Faculty's strategic goals of serving the needs of the community in terms of a highly skilled workforce.

The training is conducted in two parts, over 2 years each. The Part 1 of training involves learning, understanding and practicing the depth and extent of general and basic pathology, using the tools of pathology diagnosis, with application to forensic work. Part 2 training involves the practical application of knowledge to all manner of forensic casework and circumstances, where the student matures into a competent practitioner.