Forensic science plays a critical role in both justice and public health, but in many African countries, the field remains underfunded and overlooked. Seeking solutions to these challenges, the 12th Annual Conference of the African Society of Forensic Medicine (ASFM) brought together over 200 forensic specialists, policymakers, and researchers to explore ways to strengthen forensic capacity across the continent.

The Conference, held from 10-13 March 2025 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, brought together stakeholders from around the world to raise awareness, foster discussion, and promote collaboration in the fields of forensic medicine and forensic pathology.  

This highly successful conference provided a platform for addressing critical challenges – often regarded as the "elephants in the room" – that impact forensic practices and the broader criminal justice system. Through insightful discussions and shared expertise, the conference paved the way for strengthening forensic systems and enhancing justice delivery across the continent and beyond.

During his welcome address ASFM President, Dr Uwom Eze, emphasised the need to move away from a “copy-and-paste” approach to forensic medicine, advocating instead for Africa-driven solutions that reflect the challenges of low-resource environments.

“Forensic medicine does not exist in a vacuum. Context matters. We cannot apply models from high-income countries to low-resource settings and expect the same results,” Dr Eze told delegates.

“Copy and paste may not be applicable,” he said. “Sometimes we are told not to reinvent the wheel, but in Africa, when you look at the context, it puts a twist on things. We need to reinvent the wheel.”

A need for forensic reform

Dr Robert Ngude, Chairperson of the ASFM 2025 Local Organising Committee, lauded the conference for being “more than just an exchange of research and ideas; it is a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in medicine.”

Dr Ngude, who is also the Head of the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Clinical Unit, highlighted key challenges facing forensic medicine in Africa. These include weak legal frameworks, inadequate forensic expertise, cultural and religious barriers and a severe lack of funding and infrastructure.

South Africa’s National Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, also addressed the gathering and emphasised the need for more investment in forensic medicine.

“One of the reasons why many doctors don’t pursue forensic medicine is that, in some countries, there is no established career pathway for them. Every medical doctor wants to progress, but if there is no policy framework, no defined career progression, and no budget allocation, we cannot expect forensic medicine to grow.”

Minister Motsoaledi pointed to recent forensic investigations in the country that looked into poisoning cases and illegal mining fatalities, where forensic pathology was crucial in identifying victims and determining causes of death. “Our forensic teams have the expertise, but the challenge remains capacity. It is far from being sufficient,” he admitted.

Despite South Africa’s forensic advancements, the Minister acknowledged that the field remains underfunded and overlooked, with forensic officers often trained “on the job.”

“This is one area that makes me feel very guilty,” Minister Motsoaledi said. “It is one of the fields that does not attract medical professionals in large numbers, yet the health system cannot do without a sufficient number of experts in this field.”

A ‘workable one-size-fits-all’ approach to forensic training

Dr Alfredo Walker, a forensic pathologist and coroner as well as an Assistant Professor, the Director of Education and Vice Chair at the University of Ottawa’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, discussed the barriers to forensic pathology training in low-resource jurisdictions.

He highlighted the lack of accredited postgraduate training programmes and systemic barriers to entry, calling for a “workable one-size-fits-all for an international problem that mainly affects low-resource jurisdictions.”

Dr Walker outlined a proposed training model that could provide postgraduate training and certification for forensic pathology professionals in Africa, using online education, clinical observerships and international collaborations.

A keynote address by Dr Jim Caruso, the Chief Medical Examiner and Coroner for Denver, focused on the complexities of investigating drowning and fire-related deaths, highlighted how water temperature, decomposition rates and toxicological findings influence post-mortem conclusions.

Dr Caruso described the forensic techniques used to determine whether drownings were accidental or suspicious and discussed the challenges and telltale signs of investigating charred human remains in fire-related deaths.

Regional forensic training solutions

Prof Christopher Milroy, a Forensic Pathologist and professor at the University of Ottawa, shared his insights on delivering of forensic pathology in remote and under-resourced areas. Drawing on his experience in Canada’s Arctic regions, he described the difficulties of conducting forensic investigations in isolated locations with extreme weather conditions and limited infrastructure.

“If you can’t fly the case to you, and you can’t fly the pathologist to the case, then we must look to digital solutions,” he said. He pointed to remote forensic training and virtual case assessments as models that could benefit African forensic services.

Forensic medicine’s role in justice and public health

Dr Eze, who is also the Head of Forensic Medicine Unit within the Department of Pathology at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, urged forensic professionals to demonstrate the societal impact of their work to policymakers, emphasising that forensic medicine is not just about solving cases, but about shaping public health policies and strengthening legal systems.

“We do not practice forensic medicine for the sake of the specialty. We practice forensic medicine because of the people. If we don’t solve societal problems, we won’t survive,” he said.

Dr Eze also pointed to the lack of a centralised forensic training hub in Africa, describing it as a gap that needs to be addressed. “Presently, as I speak to you, we don’t have a central hub for forensic medicine training in Africa. This needs to change – Africa is ripe for it.”

In summary, ASFM 2025 was an inspiring and memorable event. 

It had a profound impact on South Africa across multiple sectors, including healthcare, law enforcement, education, and international relations.

ASFM 2025 was impactful in numerous ways, driving advancements in forensic science and medicine while strengthening the criminal justice system through cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies. The event also played a crucial role in boosting healthcare and public safety by promoting forensic applications in medical investigations. Additionally, it contributed to economic growth and tourism by attracting global experts and fostering international collaboration, enhancing South Africa’s reputation in forensic excellence. Capacity building and knowledge transfer were key focuses, ensuring skill development and sustainable expertise. Furthermore, ASFM 2025 encouraged policy and legal reforms to align with global best practices, supporting South Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), national vision, and strategic targets for a more just and secure society.  

Readers are advised to watch some of the talks:

https://www.youtube.com/@ASFM2025