Forensic Scientific Services
VIDEO: Professor Olaf Drummer, Head of Forensic Scientific Services at VIFM.
The work of Forensic Scientific Services at VIFM is not only an integral part of the death investigation process, but also contributes to the improvement of the health of the Victorian community.
Our forensic scientific service provides forensic toxicology, molecular biology (DNA), histology, microbiology and entomology expertise to investigators and the courts.
Forensic Toxicology analysts test for drugs and poisons and provide expert evidence to our courts on the effects of these substances.
In particular our toxicologists look at alcohol, drugs of abuse, and a large range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs in fatal and non-fatal incidents including homicides. We also undertake therapeutic drug monitoring in a range of industries to help maintain a safe workplace.
Our Molecular Biology laboratory provides DNA typing services for human identification, determination of parentage and other legal proceedings that require DNA analysis and advice.
Entomology is the analysis of insect life which can help to establish the time of death of an individual. This may be important in cases involving murder, suicide, accident, or suspected neglect of persons in care.
Paternity Testing
VIFM’s Molecular Biology laboratory provides DNA typing services for cases requiring determination of parentage through a simple mouth swab or blood test.
Toxicology
Toxicology is the analysis of drugs and poisons in biological tissues. Forensic toxicology applies the science of the detection of drugs and poisons in biological systems for medico-legal purposes.
Molecular Biology
VIFM’s Molecular Biology laboratory provides DNA typing services for the identification of human remains, cases requiring determination of parentage and other matters that require DNA analysis.
Histology
Histology is the study of the structure and function of human tissues. In the forensic setting, it forms an integral part of the autopsy and is a process of discovery.
Microbiology
Microbiology is a branch of biology that studies organisms that are usually too small to be seen with the naked eye. At VIFM, microbiology is one of the methods used to detect disease in human tissue on a cellular level. Clinical specimens taken at autopsy, including samples from lung tissue, blood, urine, the bowel or [...]
Entomology
Entomology is the analysis of insect life which can help to establish the time of death of an individual. This can be important in cases involving murder, suicide, accident, or suspected neglect of persons in care.