Degrees

Our Division offers the following postgraduate degrees: BHSc Honours in Forensic Sciences, MMed in Forensic Pathology, MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine and PhD in Forensic Medicine. Our Division is based at the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-legal Laboratory where students get first-hand experience in a forensic mortuary setting.

BHSc Honours in Forensic Sciences

The Bachelor of Science Honours in Forensic Sciences is a 1-year, full-time degree and consists of two parts. Part 1 (FORM4003A) comprises the coursework component, which entails 5 modules (forensic medicine, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic and investigative psychology, and forensic toxicology). Part 2 (FORM4004A) comprises a research methodology module, which includes a research project. Part 1 constitutes 60% of the qualification and Part 2 the remaining 40%. Successful completion of FORM4003A and FORM4004A will result in the degree (qualification) of Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours (BHSc Hons) in the field of Forensic Sciences.

MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine

The MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine is by research dissertation only (no coursework). This can be done on a full-time or part-time process. The general research fields offered at a Masters level in the Division are: forensic anthropology, forensic taphonomy, forensic entomology, forensic toxicology, forensic and investigative psychology, general forensic science.

Masters students may also participate in the Human Decedent Identification Unit in the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-legal Mortuary, by collecting and recording primary and secondary identifiers from active forensic cases to assist in the identification of individuals who have died as a result of unnatural causes.

MMed in Forensic Pathology

A MMed in Forensic Pathology is only offered to medical doctors who wish to specialise and are hired in a Registrar post. Applicants must first be employed in a Medical Officer post in the Forensic Pathology Service. You would then have to pass the CMSA Diploma Exams. This CMSA Dip For Med(SA) Path qualification is achievable within 6 months to a year (while in the M/O post), depending on your own enthusiasm and interest. After passing the CMSA Diploma exams you could move into a Registrar post. Those interested in M/O and Registrar posts can contact the Head of Division: Dr Shakeera Holland (Shakeera.Holland@wits.ac.za). Queries regarding the MMed program can contact Mrs Ildi Wainer (ildi.wainer@wits.ac.za).

PhD in Forensic Medicine

The PhD in Forensic Medicine is by research thesis only (no coursework). This can be done on a full-time or part-time process. The general research fields offered at a PhD level in the Division are: forensic anthropology, forensic taphonomy, forensic and investigative psychology, and general forensic science.

PhD students may also participate in the Human Decedent Identification Unit by collecting and recording primary and secondary identifiers from active forensic cases to assist in the identification of individuals who have died as a result of unnatural causes.

Queries for the degrees can be sent to Dr Craig Keyes (craig.keyes@wits.ac.za).