Pauper Cremations Medico-Legal Implications Dr Gavin M Kirk

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

Death Natural Unknown Unnatural

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

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

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

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

Medico-legal autopsy n Performed by u medical practitioner appointed for the purpose t specialist forensic pathologist t non-specialist district medical officer

Reasons for exhumation Autopsy n Repeat autopsy n Disputed identity n For reburial elsewhere n

Identification General u gender u age u ethnicity n Specific u individual n

Individual identification Visual recognition u direct u indirect t photographs t description n Biological u DNA n

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

Unidentified paupers n Issues surrounding cremation u potential loss of forensic evidence t same as for identified paupers and nonpaupers u method for subsequent identification u ethical issues t cultural / religious beliefs of deceased t next-of-kin’s views