The identification of unknown bodies piling up in mortuaries across the country is expected to be expedited after the launch last week of a new forensic pathology service digital fingerprint system, which will now identify bodies in just two minutes.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the system used biometrics technology and has access to the databases of the Department of Home Affairs, the SA Police Service and the National Credit Bureau.
However, for undocumented foreign nationals, the department was in talks with Southern African Development Community countries to access their systems as well to make identification easier, News24 reports.
The department said the number of unidentified bodies in Gauteng mortuaries had been reduced from 938 to 691 because of the innovation.
Nkomo-Ralehoko added that cumbersome and time-consuming manual processes would be streamlined and automated, paving the way for more efficient service delivery, thanks “to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the SAPS and other partners, for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout this process”.
To strengthen capacity even more, comprehensive training programmes had been planned, tailored to different categories of Forensic Pathology Services staff, including forensic pathology officers, clinical staff (medical officers/pathologists) and general support staff.
“Clinical staff, including medical officers and pathologists, will undergo training sessions focused on understanding the technical aspects of the digital fingerprint system and its integration within the forensic pathology workflow.”
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