bfslogo

About

The Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology hosts a group that defines themselves as the Biomedical Forensic Science Group or BFS Group. The BFS Group offer programmes that provide students with biomedical forensic science knowledge, attitudes, and skills to apply in a variety of forensic scientific settings, which are locally applicable and globally relevant. Students will be able to contribute to the international body of research in Biomedical Forensic Science. The BFS Unit started in 2011 with the appointment of Dr Marise Heyns as the first convenor of the MPhil Biomedical Forensic science programme. This was the first of the postgraduate programmes offered.

Forensic Science is about the presentation of scientific evidence in a court of law. By its very nature it is multi-disciplinary covering biological, chemical and physical sciences, as well as law and psychology.

What skills do you need to be a forensic scientist?

You'll need:

  • a logical and analytical approach to problems
  • highly developed observation and scientific skills
  • a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
  • strong written and spoken communication skills

As a forensic scientist you'll provide impartial scientific evidence for use in courts of law to support the judicial process in criminal and civil investigations.

History

At the time of the development of the Biomedical Forensic Science programmes, there was no specific training course for biomedical forensic scientists in South Africa.  An objective of the proposed programmes was therefore to develop a group of competent, professional personnel to perform biomedical forensic science examinations and research, which will assist the courts of law to ensure crime resolution.  The reasons for the introduction of such a course were: 

  • popular demand demonstrated by the increasing number of enquires received from prospective students;
  • increased awareness in Forensic Science due to recent technological advances and heightened media attention;
  • the lack of a course of this nature anywhere in Africa;
  • the high levels of violent crime;
  • the huge backlog in the judicial system due to insufficient numbers of appropriately-skilled professionals in both government institutions and the private sector;
  • too few adequately trained forensic professionals to be expert investigators and witnesses in court cases;
  • the availability of existing resources such as a variety of technology platforms;
  • an appropriate training laboratory and skilled technical and academic staff in the Departments of the Faculty of Health Sciences;
  • state and private institutions investing large sums of money in expanding their existing forensic services due to heightened public awareness and pressure, and
  • ongoing violent crime.

The focus was on producing a forensic scientist who would be able to work independently in state, private or research laboratories both in and outside academic institutions. Amongst others the graduate would be able to compile a medico-legal report, give evidence in court, or pursue an academic and/or research career in Forensic Science (including further study at a doctoral level).

The course envisaged would recognise that the forensic needs are broadly African and not solely South African, thus articulating the university’s strategic goal associated with becoming an Afropolitan university. We believe it is essential for forensic professionals to be trained locally in order to be sensitive to the needs of Africa and its diverse people, customs, rituals and diseases. Further, it also articulates the university strategic goal of contributing to social reconstruction and development - specifically drawing on the potential strengths of the proposed programme to address violent crime and a seriously back-logged judicial system.

Present

The challenges of safety in society are multi-levelled and complex, especially in the forensic science arena. In South Africa, forensic science plays an important role as a scientific instrument that may be used by the law enforcement service to make findings that will assist the courts of law to successfully exonerate the innocent and prosecute the guilty.

As biomedical specialties continue to provide vital techniques and practices to forensic investigation, there is now a need for trained forensic professionals across the nation. The sector of forensic science demands highly skilled and knowledgeable persons who have extensive knowledge of biomedical science as is used within forensic examinations. Individuals trained in the basics of forensic science with a strong biomedical background will provide a crucial level of expertise to forensic investigations. The goal of the Biomedical Forensic Science group and their programmes is to provide a broad-based learning experience in multiple areas of forensic and biomedical sciences and this knowledge must also be applied within the practical field of forensic science as well as in research relevant to the South African situation.

The qualifications should allow the forensic science fraternity to undertake research and/or provide a more effective service that will improve community satisfaction and position them to fulfil their mission of creating a safe environment for all who live in South Africa. These programmes intend to develop a group of competent, professional personnel to perform forensic science examinations and conduct research, which will assist the courts of law to ensure crime resolution.  The primary purpose of the qualifications is twofold: Firstly, to equip the students with rigorous advanced scientific knowledge, laboratory and legal expertise and leadership skills; and secondly, to equip the students with research skills to contribute to the national and international body of research in laboratories and in death and forensic investigations.

Mission

Our mission as a Biomedical Forensic Science group is to develop professional, ethical graduates whose competence in problem-solving, legal analysis and application, quantitative reasoning, investigation and scientific laboratory procedures that can be applied to immediate employment or advanced study. We aspire to conduct translational research, identified through collaboration with stakeholders, motivated by locally relevant needs.

Here are some of the key outcomes for Biomedical Forensic Science practice, teaching and research:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the interdisciplinary fields contributing toward biomedical forensic science
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the complexity of the interaction of medicine, science and law
  • Work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team. 
  • Demonstrate professionalism and adherence to ethical principles of forensic science in research, teaching and other related settings.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and problem solving within the field of biomedical forensic science.
  • Conduct research related to service driven problems in the biomedical forensic science field.
  • Understand the requirements of the continuity of the evidence and demonstrate the correct use of contemporaneous notes.
  • Demonstrate competency in various laboratory and analytical skills and techniques in a practical setting.
  • Critically evaluate laboratory analyses and reports, and interpret results meaningfully in the forensic context.
  • Demonstrate effective communication with appropriate language, verbal and writing skills to compile and present objective scientific and / or legal reports.
  • Demonstrate the ability to translate scientific concepts and present evidence in a courtroom.
  • Demonstrate cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in forensic settings.
  • Demonstrate life-long learning and on-going competency by demonstrating a curiosity about problems and searching for knowledge.
  • Demonstrate an understanding the function and importance of quality assurance, GLP and H&S