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HOME > Families > Publications > Annual Report 2003 > Achievements for 2003 |
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Achievements for the Year |
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The following list records only some of the activities and projects undertaken by the Institute staff during 2002 -03. The breadth and diversity of this list indicates the Institute's integral role in providing forensic and related services to the legal, health, teaching and research fields in Victoria as well as nationally and internationally. It also further underscores the skills and talents of Institute staff. Drug Facilitated Assaults Research ProjectIn conjunction with the Division of Scientific Services, developed a system for analysing and interpreting specimens obtained from individuals where there were concerns that drugs had been administered covertly for the purposes of an assault. To date more than eighty tests have been performed. This field is currently the subject of a research project within the Division. Participation in International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) project, 'The Missing'Professor Stephen Cordner participated in an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) project, “The Missing: Action to resolve the problem of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence, and to assist their families” as the ICRC Consultant in Forensic Pathology. More specifically, Professor Cordner's role was to help ensure the international framework within which forensic professionals work in the context of The Missing promotes effective outcomes achieved in an ethical manner, the ICRC Standard in Human Remains and Forensic Sciences in the context of The Missing is increasingly recognized, adopted and adhered to, and an international body in the forensic sciences takes on responsibility for implementing these standards. World Health Organization ProjectThe World Health Organisation commissioned the Institute to prepare policy and protocol documents for service delivery to sexual assault victims in developing countries. This has been completed and the materials will be published by the WHO later this year for worldwide distribution and implementation. Traffic Medicine ProjectsThe Institute, through Morris Odell in the Forensic Medicine Division has been requested to develop three projects in the field of Traffic Medicine. These projects, in collaboration with both Australian and overseas groups will explore a range of issues in the fields of Drugs and Driving, Driver Licensing and Older Drivers. Forensic pathology service to the ACTAn overall shortage of specialised forensic pathologists in Australia can result in acute localised shortages from time to time. The Institute was asked to assist in the provision of forensic pathology services to the Australian Capital Territory assisting Coroners and Police in the investigation of various reportable deaths both suspicious and 'routine'. Forensic Pathology Expertise to East TimorDr Malcolm Dodd provided forensic pathology expertise as part of the United Nations team investigating human rights abuses in East Timor. Review of Drug Policy for the Australian Football LeagueThe AFL approached A/ Prof. David Wells to review their policies relating to the use of illicit drugs. This review has been completed and its recommendations implemented. Professional Recognition for Adjunct Professor
Olaf Drummer Professor Drummer was awarded an Associate Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia in recognition for his contributions to forensic pathology that were of such standing to allow admission to the college as an associate member.
Agreement with Wright Medical TechnologyThe Institute signed a formal agreement with Wright Medical Technology (WMT). The agreement will enable demineralised bone matrix (DBM) to be combined with a carrier supplied by WMT. The combined bone and carrier will be easier for surgeons to manipulate during surgery, will have an expanded volume compared with DBM alone and will be more easily incorporated with recipient bone once implanted. National Stem Cell CentreThe Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria is working with LifeCell Corporation and the National Stem Cell Centre to enable Victorians to have access to a modified skin allograft which has been successfully used in the USA for the treatment of burns and in abdominal wall and hernia repair. Use of the modified skin allograft in such circumstances has resulted in excellent clinical outcomes. CCRTF funding extended for new projectThe Committee has been granted funding for 2003-2005 from the Victorian Trauma Foundation to conduct an initiative titled: “Changing practice: The Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities' interactive strategy to improve trauma care”. CCRTF milestone reachedThe Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities completed the assessment of 200 road traffic fatality cases in the 2-year “after” component of the “before and after” study of the new Victorian Trauma Care System. The Committee's findings have been presented at international and national scientific meetings. DTBV Leaf DayThe Tree of Life is a mural of a stylised tree to which leaves of differing colours are attached. The tree has a range of green, yellow and red leaves reflecting the cycle of seasons and grief responses. The leaves bearing the first name of each tissue donor are placed on the tree at the end of each month. Twelve months later the tree is full of donor leaves, reflecting the vast contribution donors and their families have made over the previous year. On 24 November 2002 the DTBV held its first Leaf Day to which donor families were invited. A photograph of the tree and the leaf belonging to the donor was given to each family as a tribute to their generosity. Over 60 family members attended and enjoyed afternoon tea with the DTBV staff members. Family ContactA process to provide families of recently deceased with medical information, gleaned at autopsy, which may be of relevance to surviving family members has been developed. The Transplant & Family Liaison Coordinators contact the family and tell them that medical information is available. If families wish to receive the information the coordinators arrange a meeting of the family with their family doctor or the VIFM pathologist. Increased capacity for specialised pathology (odontology) service provisionDr Suhail Al-Amad and Dr Richard Bassed graduated from Melbourne University with a Diploma in Forensic Odontology. Both are now acting as honorary Forensic Odontologists for the VIFM. Women in Justice Scholarship awarded to Marie Syrjanen
Forensic Odontology Research ProjectProfessor John Clement was awarded JSPS Invitation Fellowship Program for Research in Japan (short term) 2003-2004. Title: Quantitative 3D determination of age-related microstructural changes to the human teeth and jaws using very high resolution X-ray computer tomography. Visited Japan April 23 - May 24, 2003 Oscar Rivers Schmalzbach Foundation GrantSherie Blackwell and Professor John Clement were awarded an Oscar Rivers Schmalzbach Foundation Grant from the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences for Sherie's MSc project “3-D imaging & measurement of simulated human bitemarks”, May 2003 . Development of a new diagnostic test in the Molecular Biology laboratoryA new mitochondrial DNA testing procedure has been developed and introduced into casework, reducing analysis time from 2 weeks to 3 days. The procedure for mitochondrial DNA analysis is being adapted for the analysis of genetic diseases (prolonged QT syndrome) and short tandem repeat analysis removing a requirement for electrophoresis. Representation on Consultative Mortality and Morbidity CommitteesMembers of the pathology division have been appointed as the pathology representatives on a number of committees including the Paediatric and Perinatal, Anaesthetic and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committees Completion of ten year study of drugs involved in fatal crashesProfessor Drummer completed a major collaborative 10- year study into the involvement of drugs in fatal road crashes. This study, which involved most of the States in Australia, showed that recent use of cannabis significantly increased the risk of a fatal crash. In addition many other impairing drugs also increased crash risk. Co-consumption of alcohol further increased crash risk. The significance of this study was further enhanced by the realisation that drugs were becoming an increasingly prevalent factor, while alcohol induced road trauma steadily decreased in this period. These studies have been accepted for publication in two International Journals - Accident Analysis & Prevention and Forensic Science International. Participation in collaborative project to produce educational materialThe Road Safety Section in the Division of Scientific Services, in collaboration with Vic Roads, has produced a number of educational materials in the area of alcohol, drugs and fatigue. These videos and interactive CD-ROMs were directed to VCE students and the road transport industry. |
Marie Syrjanen was awarded the inaugural Department of Justice 'Women in Justice' scholarship early in 2003. One of only six awarded by the Department, this scholarship was created to recognize and encourage talented women with Justice. The awarding of the scholarship recognised Marie's outstanding work in the introduction of the Business Excellence Framework to the Institute.