FOR3001 · Principles of forensic medicine and science

Overview

This unit will cover the complex and diverse specialties of Forensic Medicine and Science. This unit will cover all forensic disciplines, both medical and scientific, that are encountered in the medico-legal investigation of death and injury (deliberate and accidental). Topics covered in the unit include; the scope of forensic medical science, clinical forensic medicine, forensic field sciences, forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, forensic molecular biology, forensic toxicology, death investigation, decomposition and forensic entomology, forensic pathology, the role of the coroner and public health, and the anatomy of a murder.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Summarise the principles and scope of forensic medicine and science in their application in the Australian Criminal Justice and Coronial legal systems.
2. Distinguish the application of Clinical Forensic Medical services and apply them to the Australian Criminal Justice and Coronial legal systems.
3. Describe the core elements of forensic odontology, anthropology and forensic entomology and be able to expo how these specialties assist forensic medical investigations.
4. Discuss the core elements of forensic toxicology and forensic molecular biology and how these science disciplines are integrated into a comprehensive death investigation service.
5. Distinguish basic forensic autopsy principles in the setting of medico-legal death investigation the approaches to autopsy.
6. Explain the interface between forensic pathology and other forensic medical and scientific disciplines in a team based approach to death investigation.
7. Summarise the legal frameworks within which forensic practitioners work.

Workload

6 hours per week of teacher directed study including a 1 hour asynchronous lecture and two hour face to face tutorial; and 6 hours per week of self directed private study.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.