Forensic Pathology Division

There are a number of Forensic Pathology services, including the mortuary service and the specialist forensic areas of odontology, antomology and anthropology which comprise the Centre for Human Identification (CHI).

Goals

The goals of the Forensic Pathology service area of the Institute are:

1. To provide a complete and integrated forensic pathology service for the State of Victoria.
2. To achieve excellence in meeting the needs of the division's clients.
3. To maintain an efficient and cost effective medico-legal service based on the specialty of pathology.
4. To further develop of the discipline of forensic pathology by the conduct of high quality teaching and research.

The staff of Forensic Pathology Services include medical specialists and postgraduate medical trainees. All of the specialists have qualifications in forensic pathology as well as anatomical pathology. The head of the Forensic Pathology is responsible for the forensic pathology examinations of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia including the Diplomas of Forensic Pathology and Forensic Medicine and the Fellowship examination in Anatomical Pathology slanted towards Forensic Pathology.

The Centre for Human Identification (CHI) draws on a range of specialists, including forensic anthropologists and odontologists, to provide consulting and service provision in human identification at state, national and international levels. In addition entomological services are available mainly to assist in determining time since death.

	Forensic pathology specialists		Forensic pathology services at the VIFM are provided by a team of experienced forensic pathologists.
	Entomology		Forensic entomology applies the study of insects to legal problems. Entomologists mainly estimate the minimum time since death, but they may also assess whether a body has been moved or help to distinguish insect feeding damage to bodies from other defects. Forensic entomology services are provided by the Centre for Human Identification (CHI).
	Odontology		The forensic odontology discipline is well recognised as one that assists in the identification of the deceased. The Odontology section is within the Centre for Human Identification (CHI)based at the VIFM
	Anthropology		Forensic anthropology is the field of study concerned with the analysis of human skeletal remains for medico-legal purposes. The forensic anthropologist analyses differentially preserved human remains to assist with addressing questions of ancestry, sex, age and stature. In addition, the forensic anthropologist examines the remains for evidence of skeletal alterations and comments, where possible, on whether such alterations occurred, ante-, peri- or post-mortem. Forensic anthropology services are provided by the Centre for Human Identification (CHI).