Western Cape forensic lab becomes first in SA to receive international accreditation

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. 

This marks 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.

According to the MEC for Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, 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.

“When someone passes away, those left behind often want to understand what happened. Where the cause of death is not immediately clear, forensic toxicology can play an important role in providing answers,” Wenger said. 

She said this accreditation provides independent assurance that the toxicology evidence produced meets internationally recognised standards and strengthens confidence in the results by forensic pathologists, police investigators, prosecutors, and the courts. 

“I am 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,” Wenger said. 

Provincial expertise receives international recognition

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

The Department said that 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, the Department said 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, the 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,” Davies said. 

Wenger added that 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,” Wenger said. 

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