Overview of VIFM

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is a statutory body with the responsibility to provide forensic pathological, clinical forensic medical and related services to the State of Victoria.  This includes the conduct of post-mortems in cases referred to the coroner as well as in the provision of a range of forensic scientific investigations on such cases.  (Role of the forensic pathologist describes the work carried out by the forensic pathologists at the VIFM.)

These scientific services include drug testing services for alcohol, drugs of abuse and range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, as well as a DNA testing service for the identification of human remains.

It also provides a range of forensic medical services in cases of adult and paediatric physical and sexual assault, and in custodial and traffic medicine.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria provides cadaveric tissue to suitable recipients, including musculoskeletal and cardiac tissues, and skin allografts.

Public Health Activities

In addition to the core forensic services provided by the Institute, the organization has an important role in conducting research and in providing professional expertise and information to a range of stakeholders both within Government, and to other organisations.  The focus of much of this research relates to a range of public health issues.  Examples include:

• Role of alcohol and drugs in road trauma, particularly cannabis
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of emergency medical responses in road trauma
• Evaluation of medical adverse events that occur in hospitals
• The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) is a national database managed through the Monash University National Consortium of Coronial Information (MUNCCI) and the Australian Coroners Association (ACS). 
• Forensic medical issues relating to victims of assault (adults and children)
• Incidence of heroin related deaths and trends
• Incidence and type of other drug related deaths
• Identification of risk factors associated with drug associated deaths
• Identifying risk factors in delivering a safe and effective methadone maintenance program to opioid-dependent persons,
• Prevalence of viral and other communicable diseases,
• Prevalence of natural diseases in various case types, and
• Research findings in sudden infant death syndrome through the development of the National SIDS database.

Additional information on of some of the research activities is available in the reports and publications area.

Expert Opinions

A number of staff provide expert advice in medico-legal matters relating to forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine and forensic toxicology.  To initiate a request for an expert opinion contact enq.medicolegal@vifm.org

Teaching and Training Activities

The Institute has played a leading role in the training of medical graduates in the disciplines of forensic medicine and pathology. The Institute, through the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University, established the first postgraduate programme in Clinical Forensic Medicine.

Additionally, the Institute has provided training in Forensic Pathology for many graduates from developing countries. From 2004, a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Pathology  Graduate Diploma in Forensic Pathology  will be available for these practitioners.