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Division of Forensic Medicine?

Teaching & Learning

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Undergraduate Offering

Theory Module?

The Division of Forensic Medicine provides lectures for MBChB students during the following modules:

  • Dysfunction (MBChB II)
    Topics include:
    • Sudden and unexpected deaths in adults
    • Classification of common wounds
    • Thermal injuries
    • Asphyxia-related deaths
    • Sudden and unexpected deaths in infants and children
    • Non-accidental deaths in children
    • Firearm-related injuries
  • Medical Detective (MBChB III)
    Topics include:
    • Collection of the Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit
    • Emergency management of sexual offences in adults and adolescents

Practical Rotation

MBChB IV students rotate through Forensic Medicine during the Combined Pathology Block, gaining practical exposure through:

  • Observing autopsies at the Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Services Mortuary
  • Learning about:
    • Medicolegal documentation and relevant legislation
    • Differentiating natural from unnatural causes of death
    • Medicolegal concepts of evidence collection and chain of custody
    • Identifying common unnatural pathologies and their complications
    • Traumatology and firearm-related injuries
    • Expert witness conduct
  • Participating in interactive forensic tutorials, including:
    • Conducting a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit
    • The role of a doctor in court
  • Visiting the INSPIRE facility (Gender-Based Violence Hub, Ida's Valley, Stellenbosch) for practical exposure in clinical forensic medicine?


Postgraduate Offering

Diploma in Forensic Medicine (Dip For Med (SA) Path)
Medical Officers and Registrars must obtain this qualification from the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) within their first year.

Master's in Forensic Pathology (MMed Forens Path)
Prospective registrars require an MBChB degree and HPCSA registration in Independent Practice. The four-year programme includes:

  • Theoretical coursework (Applied Histology for Forensic Pathology, Forensic Autopsy Techniques, Forensic Pathology, Good Laboratory Practice and Medical Ethics, Molecular Pathology, and Research Methodology).
  • Histopathology training (Year 2) will prepare you for the CMSA Part I examination.
  • Practical Forensic pathology training, dissection techniques, legal medicine (Years 3–4)
  • Part I and Part II CMSA exit examinations (written, oral, practical, histopathology assessments)
  • A Research Assignment or Publishable Manuscript


Academic Programme

?The Division hosts a dynamic academic schedule, including:

  • Weekly academic discussions with UCT and FPS medical practitioners.
  • Weekly formal academic rounds.
  • Neuropathology sessions and fixed brain dissections with the Division of Anatomical Pathology.
  • Monthly cardiothoracic pathology and neurosurgical brain dissection sessions, with the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, and Neurosurgery, respectively.
  • Quarterly case discussion session with the Division of Radiodiagnosis
  • Fortnightly case discussions with the Division of Surgery
  • Toxicology review meetings, in combination with the Forensic Toxicology Unit (FPS) and the Division of Clinical Pharmacology (including the Poison Information Centre).
  • Internal Research meetings.
  • Child Death Review meetings with interdisciplinary teams, including the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Social Development.
  • Docket review sessions to train postgraduate students in expert court opinions


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