FOR4013 · Understanding Injuries

Overview

In this unit you will examine the issues surrounding the classification and interpretation of injuries you identify during a forensic examination of a patient following a physical and / or sexual assault. You will also gain an understanding of the factors and circumstances that affect the appearance of injury and injury patterns to enable accurate interpretation. You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in injury and injury pattern documentation, including forensic photography. Workbooks and case examples will be used to lay the academic foundations of the unit and you will develop and demonstrate skills in injury identification, classification, interpretation and documentation during a two-day face-to-face workshop. The latter will take the form of a series of demonstrations from forensic professionals and participation in practical simulated scenarios. It will also include a demonstration of your knowledge via an oral presentation.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

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

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Apply principles of nursing and / or midwifery practice to a forensic consultation.
2. Describe the pathophysiology of injuries with consideration of forces, modifying factors and ageing of injuries.
3. Accurately interpret the range of injuries and injury patterns that that may arise from physical and/or sexual assault using principles of wound classification.
4. Accurately document and describe the range of injuries and injury patterns that may arise from physical and/or sexual assault for medico-legal reports and oral testimony.
5. Use forensic photography equipment to produce high quality photographic evidence.

Workload

5-6 hours per week of directed study and 3-4 hours per week of self-directed readings, assessment preparation and development. Attendance at and participation in two-day face-to-face (Southbank) workshop.

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