GOOD NEWS - The Western Cape Government’s Forensic Toxicology Unit has become the first provincial public forensic toxicology laboratory in South Africa to achieve international accreditation for drug testing methods, marking a major milestone for forensic science in the country.
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.
Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Scientific Manager of the Forensic Toxicology Unit, Bronwen Davies, says 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.”
In a statement issued today, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, says when someone passes away, those left behind want to understand what happened.
"Where the cause of death is not immediately clear, forensic toxicology can play an important role in providing answers.
"This accreditation provides independent assurance that the toxicology evidence produced by our team meets internationally recognised standards; and strengthening confidence in the results used by our forensic pathologists, SAPS investigators, prosecutors and the courts.”
Wenger is incredibly proud that the Western Cape has achieved a national first.
"It reflects the skill and dedication of a highly specialised team and supports our ability to provide a forensic service that families and the justice system can trust.”
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger Photo: Instagram
International recognition for Western Cape expertise
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.
Wenger says 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.
"This has improved collaboration, strengthened the reliability of testing and reduced turnaround times for toxicology results.
"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.
She says 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."
Wenger says 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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