Student Supervised Activities

As the Monash University Department of Forensic Medicine, the Institute has significant teaching commitments. An affiliation with Melbourne University underscores the strong academic links.

The Institute has a significant record in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as supporting overseas students, especially in forensic pathology.

Other Student Supervision Activities

Clinical Liaison Services
Joseph Ibrahim supervised postgraduate student Dr Michael Jefford, Master of Health Services Management Case Study: "The Development of Quality and Safety Programs in a Clinical Department".

Forensic Entomology & Anthropology
Dr Melanie Archer supervised the completion of a forensic entomology research project by Ms Jenny Hughes (3rd year science student at The University of Melbourne) titled: "Preference for Aged vs. Fresh Carrion in the Europena Bluebottle Calliphora vicina"

Dr Melanie Archer and A/Prof Chris Briggs supervised the completion of two forensic anthropology research projects by 3rd year science students at The University of Melbourne. The research projects were carried out by Ms Catherine Gugenheimer titled: "A Critical Evaluation of the Application of Decomposition Markers in Pigs to the Ageing of Human Bodies". Ms Kate Whitehill's project was titled: "The Effect of Decomposition on Cranial Bone Articulation in Neonatal Piglets".

National Coroners Information System
Emily Dunnings and Erica O'Connor both 3rd year Health Information Management students at LaTrobe University completed 4 week placements with the NCIS.

Pathology
Training of overseas pathologists was undertaken. The trainees included; Ahmed Makata, Muruguipillai Sivasubramaniam, Keerthi Gunathilake, Buddhika Weerasundera and Maximus Fernando.

Scientific Services
Ms Jessica Halstead's Honours Project is titled: "Investigation of the Toxicity of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)".

The project involves the investigation of 20 cases involving the use of one or more antidepressant drugs that inhibit reuptake of serotonin, particularly those using multiple SSRI drugs, or drugs that can affect the actions of SSRIs. Hair will be used to assess the time course of exposure to these drugs. This information and other toxicological information on the case and relevant circumstances will be used to assess the access to these drugs and the role they played in the death.