FOR5026 · Death investigation

Overview

Coronial and other medico-legal death investigation systems Death investigation is an integral aspect of most developed societies. Yet the resources allocated to it and the sophistication of the medicolegal systems put in place by governments vary considerably across jurisdictions. This Unit is divided into two main parts: • Part one deals with the theoretical framework for forensic death investigation from a sociolegal perspective and focuses on the particular attributes of Coroners jurisdictions found in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. • Part two deals with the medicolegal or practical aspects of forensic death investigation. It includes the role of the various forensic specialists and the principles and practices they utilise when undertaking the investigation of a death scene and the subsequent medical and forensic scientific examination of the body of the deceased. An effective medico-legal death investigation system provides vital information for public and personal health and safety. This unit will also equip you with the understanding of how to best use the results of death investigations for public health and safety.

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. Synthesize knowledge of different models for death investigation systems.
2. Evaluate how issues of organisation and administration of Coroners’ death investigation systems and management of key processes impact on the community.
3. Apply the principles of death scene investigation, the processes and procedures used and the roles of the relevant participants.
4. Analyse the principles of the forensic examination of a deceased person, the processes and procedures used and the roles of the relevant participants.
5. Apply the principles of forensic examination of a deceased person to a range of different circumstances where forensic death investigation is required.

Workload

60 contact hours (tutorials and attendance at scenes), 50 hours of case and practical work and approximately 46 hours for individual study, assignments and case book preparation.

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