1. Pauper Cremations Medico-Legal Implications
Dr Gavin M. Kirk
MBBCh, Dip For Med (SA), FC For Path (SA)
Forensic Pathologist

2. Death
Natural
Unnatural
Unknown

3. Final Death Certificate Burial Order / Proof of Death Notice
Natural
Unknown
Unnatural
BI 1663
Hospital / Private PM
Dept. of Home Affairs
Final Death Certificate
[BI-18/19/20]
SSA
Family / Undertaker
Registrar of Deaths
Burial Order / Proof of Death Notice
Burial
Cremation

4. Investigating Officer
Death
Natural
Unknown
Unnatural
BI 1663
Medico-Legal Autopsy
SAPS 180, DOA form, other
M-L PM Report
SAPS 359
GW 7/15
SAPS 181
Investigating Officer
Inquest Magistrate
DPP

5. External Examination of Body Medical / Other History
Death
Natural
Unnatural
Unknown
State Mortuary
External Examination of Body
&
Medical / Other History

6. Inquest Act (Act 58 of 1959) Objectives of medico-legal autopsy
establish cause of death
establish identity
obtain relevant evidence

7. Medico-legal autopsy Performed by
medical practitioner appointed for the purpose
specialist forensic pathologist
non-specialist district medical officer

8. Reasons for exhumation
Autopsy
Repeat autopsy
Disputed identity
For reburial elsewhere

9. Identification
General
gender
age
ethnicity
Specific
individual

10. Individual identification
Visual recognition
direct
indirect
photographs
description
Biological
DNA

11. Identification by DNA Requires specimens to compare Form of specimen
any cellular material with nuclei
blood
hair
Storage of specimen
frozen blood
blood absorbed in paper

12. Unidentified paupers Issues surrounding cremation
potential loss of forensic evidence
same as for identified paupers and non-paupers
method for subsequent identification
ethical issues
cultural / religious beliefs of deceased
next-of-kin’s views