Post-mortem toxicology in violent fatalities in Cape Town, South Africa: A preliminary investigation

•Ethanol was detected in 42 out of 102 cases, with mean positive BAC 0.175 g/100 mL.•The prevalence of positive BAC was higher in victims of stabbing cases.•Drugs of abuse were detected in 61% of the sample cohort.•Methamphetamine, diphenhydramine, and methaqualone were most commonly identified.•The prevalence of abused drugs was higher in victims of gunshot-related homicides.