FOR5013 · Non accidental injury in childhood

Overview

Paediatric forensic medicine encompasses the medico-legal issues arising from the provision of a medical service to children. The unit will largely focus on developing practitioners' skills required for the medical assessment of cases of suspected non-accidental injury in children. Such assessments require knowledge of the relevant legislation, injury patterns, specialised investigative techniques, documentation and interpretation. Teaching will focus on trauma and forensic principles, childhood development, injury patterns (both accidental and non-accidental), medical conditions that may mimic injurious events presentation of findings and opinions to the courts.

Offerings

Assessment

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

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

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

Learning outcomes

1. Compare and contrast types of injuries and common injury patterns observed in childhood development stages with those observed in non-accidental injuries and abuse.
2. Accurately assess and document injuries using notes, diagrams and photography.
3. Apply knowledge of non-accidental injury to the analysis of bones, intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic trauma.
4. Outline the processes involved in assessing children when there are concerns of neglect.
5. Critically apply knowledge of the epidemiology of child neglect and physical assault to support injury assessment.
6. Interpret and apply current legislation concerning offences against children.

Workload

It is expected that you will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. You are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

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