For families who have lost a loved one to an unexplained or sudden death, forensic toxicology can be the difference between questions and closure.

The Western Cape Government’s Forensic Toxicology Unit is now better equipped to provide that closure, having become the first provincial public forensic toxicology laboratory in South Africa to achieve coveted international accreditation.

Following a successful assessment by the South African National Accreditation System (Sanas) the unit was formally granted ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation as a forensic laboratory.

The accreditation covers two critical areas of testing: the detection of carbon monoxide poisoning and the identification and measurement of drugs in forensic specimens.

These tests support investigations involving fires, poisonings, suspected drug overdoses, and sudden or unexplained deaths.

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, said: “This accreditation provides independent assurance that the toxicology evidence produced by our team meets internationally recognised standards, strengthening confidence in the results used by our forensic pathologists, police investigators, prosecutors and the courts.”

She said it reflected the skill and dedication of a “highly specialised team” and supports their ability to provide a forensic service that families and the justice system can trust.

International recognition

The Forensic Toxicology Unit forms part of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ Forensic Pathology Service and supports medico-legal death investigations across the province.

By locating toxicology scientists within the Forensic Pathology Service, testing and interpretation can be integrated directly with the work of forensic pathologists and medico-legal investigative teams.

The accredited tests were already being performed before accreditation was granted.

However, this achievement provides independent confirmation that the unit’s methods and quality controls meet rigorous international standards.

Accredited methods undergo extensive validation to assess accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity and reliability.

The laboratory also participates in regular international proficiency testing and ongoing quality control.

Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Scientific Manager of the Forensic Toxicology Unit Bronwen Davies said this accreditation is more than a technical achievement; it’s a promise of quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.

“By meeting international standards, we’re strengthening the Western Cape health system and ensuring that forensic toxicology services are available where they matter most: in the public sector.”

Wenger said forensic pathology sits at an important intersection between health and justice.

“This work helps us understand how and why people die, supports investigations where necessary, and helps identify emerging risks to public health.

“This achievement is an important vote of confidence in the quality of forensic science being delivered in the Western Cape public sector.”

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