Forensic Medicine

University of the Witwatersrand, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a public research university established in 1922. Its Forensic Medicine and Forensic Anthropology units operate within a major urban medico legal system, closely linked to the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services. The institution plays a central role in advancing forensic science across Southern Africa.

Research focuses on forensic anthropology, human identification, skeletal pathology, and medico legal investigations. Studies address tuberculosis in skeletal remains, unidentified decedents, burn fatalities, urban scavenger activity, and recovery of scattered remains. Innovative work integrates digital imaging, decision tree analysis, and machine learning to strengthen diagnostic accuracy.

Key strengths include applied research in high burden contexts, methodological development for skeletal preparation and search strategies, and leadership in addressing the crisis of unidentified bodies. The unit contributes practical guidelines that improve evidence recovery, postmortem reconstruction, and identification practices in resource constrained environments.