The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and NSW Health Pathology are pleased to announce the Forensic Medicine service has achieved 30 years of continuous accreditation.
Part of the NSW Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS), the Forensic Medicine service conducts post-mortem examinations at the direction of the NSW Coroner to help investigate unexplained or unexpected deaths in NSW.
More than 6000 such deaths are reported to the NSW Coroner each year.
“We are very proud of the work of our Forensic Medicine teams who are located in Lidcombe, Newcastle and Wollongong,” Michael Symonds, the Director of the Forensic & Analytical Science Service said. “The accreditation process is rigorous, and our people go above and beyond to ensure we’re providing the NATA assessors with evidence of a quality service for the people of NSW.
“It is pleasing to know that NATA has assessed our service over three decades as meeting the required standards, which is a reflection of the incredible work of our forensic pathologists, forensic mortuary technicians, radiologists and radiographers, clinical nurse consultants, social workers and specialist administrative staff,” Mr Symonds said.
“FASS values the role that NATA plays to independently assess our services to ensure we meet the required standards.”
Forensic Medicine teams also work closely with forensic biologists and toxicologists from NSW Health Pathology’s Criminalistics and Forensic Environmental Toxicology services. Forensic odontologists, anthropologists and neuropathologists are also required in some cases.
“This service has a culture of continuous improvement which has led to many important improvements over the years, including a clear focus on improving the support available to bereaved families as they navigate some of the most challenging times of their lives,” Mr Symonds said.
“While the accreditation process is an administrative measure of the quality of our services, we always remember that at the heart of what we do is a person who is loved by their friends and family and must be provided the greatest of dignity and respect.”
You can learn more about the Forensic Medicine service here
