2-Minute Read
24 July 2025
VIFM becomes the first dedicated Forensic Medicine facility in Australia to have an MRI
On Saturday 28th June, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine’s (VIFM) new MRI scanner was craned into its new home, making the VIFM the first dedicated Forensic Medicine facility in Australia to have an MRI, and one of the very few facilities in the world. This enhances the VIFM’s world leading capability and reputation, playing an important role in Victoria’s medico-legal justice system, and providing vital research into family health, genetics and unexpected deaths.
This installation is one of the final pieces of our 4-year long capital works upgrade program at the facility. This program of works has included upgrades to mortuary facilities, and a new Colonial Admissions and Enquiries Centre – which has created an enhanced and dedicated space for family viewings and for staff. VIFM expect the MRI facility to open in August 2025, with final commission and safety works taking place in July, followed by a handover to the Radiology team and training in August.
An MRI scanner (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the body’s organs and tissues. This enhances the capability of VIFM’s forensic radiology department which already includes a CT scanner, allowing VIFM to visualise soft tissue injuries and pathologies that might be missed or difficult to assess during a traditional autopsy. It’s a non-invasive technique that can provide detailed 3D models of internal structures, aiding in the reconstruction of events and providing objective evidence for medico-legal proceedings. MRI scans play an important role in medico-legal cases involving strangulation, child abuse, gunshot wounds and fetal and infant deaths. The non-invasive nature of MRI and its soft tissue visualisation, is also invaluable for victim-survivors of sexual and physical assault, who are examined and supported by our Clinical Forensic Medicine team.
The capital works program is supported and funded by the Victorian State Government, who invested over $100million from the 2021 and 2023 State Budgets.
“In 2021, $93 million was delivered to build VIFM’s capacity in essential service delivery, including through the addition of MRI capability, lab equipment, infrastructure improvement and new case management systems. In 2023 an additional $19.47 million was delivered to help its transition to a new clinical forensic medicine service delivery model that meets victim-survivor needs and expectations and ensures a sustainable and efficient service.” Jaclyn Symes, Treasurer of Victoria and former Attorney‑General.
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Photo Credit: Peter Bury and Judith Ross.
Video Credit: with the permission of VIFM, Community Safety Building Authority, Built Environs, and Siemens Healthineers.