Forensic medicine in South Africa--time for change?

Forensic medical services in South Africa are rendered by state-employed district surgeons and forensic pathologists, who are obliged to utilize the physical infrastructure and personnel of the South African Police in their examinations. Recent highly publicized incidents have (again) highlighted the alleged involvement of the South African Police and/or state security forces in political killings and deaths in custody. The perception has arisen that the South African Police is often a party to a dispute and yet may have virtually unlimited access to evidence and findings, thereby gaining unfair advantage and opportunity for prejudicing the eventual outcome of the investigation. Furthermore, the perceived allegiance (and even possible subservience) of doctors to the South African Police has tarnished the reputation of forensic medical practitioners in this country. It is imperative that the public and the courts perceive the rendering of medicolegal services to be independent and scientifically objective. A model is proposed for the restructuring of medicolegal services in South Africa so as to be autonomous and without the integral involvement of the South African Police. Regard should be had to the opportunity for change now presenting itself in South Africa.