SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Forensic Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21418  Master of Medicine in Forensic Pathology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
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). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Barchelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8, 480 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    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. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Pathology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Medicine, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.