Our service range
Repatriation Services:
Global in/outbound repatriation solutions
Secure shipping and receiving of cremated remains
Charter evacuation flights:
Custom aircraft specifications for safe global repatriation
Expert crewing and flight management for efficient operation
Private forensic pathology
- 14 day turnaround time
Our forensic pathology service specialises in examining and analysing human remains, offering pathology, toxicology, and/or histology services to determine the cause of death and other vital details. With a two-week turnaround, we provide prompt, thorough insights to support families and professionals in understanding key findings.
Private forensic pathology explained
In South Africa, when a death is unnatural or unexplained, the deceased is taken to a government forensic mortuary for a medico-legal post-mortem examination, managed by the National Health Department. During this examination, if no clear cause of death is identified, the pathologist may collect samples for additional tests, such as alcohol levels, histology, toxicology, or DNA analysis, which are sent to a government lab.
The report and test results from the government post-mortem often take considerable time. To expedite this, we offer a private service with a team of expert forensic pathologists in Johannesburg. Even if a government post-mortem has been completed, our specialists can conduct a new examination and provide an initial report within days. If further tests are required, a final report may take from several days to weeks.
This private report can be essential for insurance purposes, administrative needs, and the family’s peace of mind. It may also assist police or judicial processes, if needed.
Private toxicology explained:
During a private post-mortem our pathologists will take samples of tissues, body fluids and blood if required or requested to do so. These samples are then sent to specialist private laboratories for testing. The results are usually received within two weeks. The pathologist will then issue a final report on the cause of death.
Toxicology tests available can be quite extensive but in general we test for the following as a standard offering:
- Drugs of abuse – recreational or prescribed
- Anti-depressants and sleeping pills
- Blood alcohol levels
- Additional tests can be done if required and / or warranted
Private histology explained
Appropriate tissue samples of the organs are taken and sent to a private laboratory and are examined microscopically. This will tell if an organ was diseased and could possibly have caused or contributed to the cause of death.