Question NW971 to the Minister of Health
24 March 2025 - NW971
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What (i) is delaying the (aa) autopsy and (bb) toxicology reports of a certain person (name and details furnished) at the Bloemfontein mortuary and (ii) is being done to finalise the specified reports expeditiously and send them to the family who need them urgently to settle the inheritance and (b) on what date is it expected that the report will be finalised?
Reply:
a) (i) (aa) The autopsy has been completed.
(bb) Toxicology analysis is conducted by the Forensic Chemistry laboratory at the National Health Laboratory Services. There are currently backlogs in the processing of toxicology samples at the laboratory.
(ii) The Forensic Chemistry laboratory at the National Health Laboratory Services has implemented measures to manage the challenge of backlogs. One such measure is that once the sample has been analysed, it will be shared with the Forensic Pathology mortuary and this will allow for the pathologist responsible for the case to finalise the autopsy report and give the final report to the investigating officer who will then share the report with the family.
b) Continuous follow up is being made with the Forensic Chemistry laboratory and as soon as the toxicology analysis report is submitted, the autopsy report will be finalised and submitted to the investing officer.
END.