International Training Programs
VIFM has a 20 year history of providing forensic medical training, and seeks to actively engage with forensic medical experts around the world to develop and improve its own knowledge and practices. Medical graduates from around the world travel to VIFM to train with its professional staff in order to take that knowledge and experience back to their home countries. Institute staff also travel overseas to train, and be trained by, forensic medical practitioners in other countries.
Our training activities have covered topics as diverse as management of sexual assault, homicide investigation, paediatric forensic medicine, advanced forensic toxicology techniques, tissue transplantation, Disaster Victim Identification, postmortem radiology and medical law.
Some recent examples of international training activities include:
Africa
VIFM/Australian Federal Police- Forensic Medical Capacity Development in Africa
VIFM has partnered with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on a number of forensic medical capacity development activities in East and South Africa as part of a broader program to support law and justice systems. VIFM and the AFP facilitated the formation of the African Network for Forensic Medicine (ANFM) in Gaborone, Botswana in May 2010. The new regional forum is building pan-African professional and personal networks, and supporting mutual understanding of forensic medical services, problems and issues. The ANFM was further supported by the AFP with the establishment of a four year scholarship program for doctors from eligible African nations which is delivered by VIFM (details below).
African clinicians at the Forensic Medical Investigation of Sexual Violence Workshop run by VIFM in Namibia in March 2011
VIFM/ANFM Forensic Medical Investigation of Sexual Violence Workshop Namibia -14-18 March, 2010
This week-long workshop organised by VIFM and the African Network for Forensic Medicine (ANFM) was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The workshop was a great success with excellent feedback from the 12 participating clinicians from eight African nations. VIFM presenters included Dr David Wells and Dr Paul Bedford who also interviewed a Nigerian VIFM/Monash University Masters of Forensic Medicine candidate for the AFP –funded scholarship Program.
AFP African Masters in Forensic Medicine Program –4 year program commenced Semester 2, 2010
This Australian Federal Police (AFP) program provides funding for eight doctors from eligible African nations to undertake the VIFM/Monash Masters in Forensic Medicine with a focus on Forensic Pathology. Four doctors have enrolled to date.
African Medico Legal Network-Second Meeting Uganda 18-20 November 2011
This meeting will build on the September 2010 Botswana meeting and will involve other relevant agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, WHO, UNICEF, the AFP and the International Criminal Court as well as African medico-legal policy makers. The Australian Federal Police will provide funding support for this Forum.
United Arab Emirates
Capacity Development in Forensic Medicine.
VIFM provided a two week intensive Forensic Odontology workshop for five UAE police dentists in January 2011.
Solomon Islands
Truth & Reconciliation Commission- 28 February – 5 March
VIFM Forensic Anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau provided training in exhumation techniques and grave mapping as part of an Argentine Forensic Pathology Team (EAAF) project. Dr Malcolm Dodd (VIFM Forensic Pathologist) also participated in the workshop and appeared as an expert witness in a trial related to previous exhumations.
East Timor
The VIFM in collaboration with the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) completed a three-year AusAID funded project in East Timor in March 2011. Members of the local police force and hospital staff were trained in aspects of human identification. In addition, investigations were undertaken to locate clandestine graves and recover human remains. The VIFM/EAAF also worked with families with missing relatives collecting ante-mortem information for attempted identification. A total of 16 deceased individuals were recovered with 12 identified and returned to their families who were finally able to perform the relevant funeral rites.