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Forensic Services

The Forensic Services division of the VIFM provides high-quality specialist medical and scientific services to support the justice system. Its forensic experts work in the fields of pathology, mortuary science, clinical forensic medicine, toxicology and molecular biology (DNA). The division produces over 40,000 forensic reports each year and this workload is increasing with the growing Victorian population.

The Forensic Services division works with a range of justice agencies providing forensic evidence to police, legal practitioners, courts and tribunals. The forensic reports they produce directly enable government organisations and agencies including the police and our courts to deliver justice services for Victoria where complex medical and scientific issues are at stake. Our doctors, nurses and scientists also actively carry out innovative forensic research that is published in the international scientific, medical and legal literature and is widely referenced in court. As forensic medical and scientific leaders, they are frequently invited to speak at conferences and training seminars.

To ensure the quality and reliability of this work our forensic laboratories and individual staff members are subject to both internal and external assessments. In addition, our Quality management unit ensures that our forensic medical and scientific services meet the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) requirements.

Many of our senior staff are also accredited NATA assessors and undertake assessments of other forensic laboratories, an indication of their high professional standing within Australia.

Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathology is a subspecialty of pathology that focuses on the medico-legal aspects of death and disease. Our forensic pathologists investigate sudden, unexpected deaths from natural disease and deaths from external causes. This includes accidents, suicides and deaths as a result of homicide. The work of our specialist forensic pathologists requires integration of information from the scene of death, a detailed assessment a deceased person, and the results of a wide range of medical and scientific tests, including post-mortem radiological studies. These processes are applied to determine the cause of death, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to death, and to assist with the reconstruction of the overall circumstances in which the death occurred.

Forensic pathology is perhaps best understood by the community because of its role in the criminal justice system in relation to homicide investigations. However, this only represents about 1% of our work today. The largest part of a forensic pathologist’s role is to be a public health specialist and to help identify preventable deaths in the community. We work with families, courts and other health practitioners providing information that contributes directly to the prevention of deaths or injury in the community. As part of this work, we identify disease and predisposition to disease that has important ramifications for the ongoing health of families.

Forensic Radiology

From the mid-2000s whole body CT scans have been performed in all death investigations at the mortuary in Melbourne. The CT scanner provides valuable assistance to pathologists performing the death investigation. CT scans assist in identifying individuals, determining causes of death, preparing for and planning the approach to an autopsy, evaluating potential hazards of the autopsy, and documenting injuries. These images can be later presented in court as evidence. Post-mortem CT angiography is a specialised test performed in only a few centres worldwide.

Investment in these new techniques for death investigation has improved the time taken to return deceased persons to their families.

Forensic Technical Services

The VIFM forensic technical specialists (or mortuary technicians) care for the deceased throughout the entire death investigation process, from admission to release.  Their work in the mortuary includes assisting the forensic pathologist in performing the post-mortem examination, collection of specimens such as blood and tissues for forensic scientific analysis, supporting post-mortem imaging including radiology (CT scans) and photographic documentation of the findings.

Once the post-mortem examination of the body is complete, the forensic technician prepares the body for release to the funeral director. This can involve undertaking complex anatomical procedures supporting the reconstruction of the body in deaths involving major trauma.

Our forensic technical staff are also involved in the retrieval of skin and musculoskeletal tissue for human transplantation on behalf of the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria and they are actively involved in teaching and research.

Forensic Toxicology

The toxicology laboratory at the VIFM undertakes drug and poison investigations of coronial cases in the state of Victoria. Rapid toxicology testing is now enhanced with screening for novel psychoactive substances and the utilisation of high-resolution mass spectrometry for drug detection in death investigation. Increasing our testing capacity enables the detection of hundreds of drugs and unknown substances in a variety of medico-legal and clinical cases.

Histology

At the VIFM the Histology Department sits within Forensic Sciences which also includes Toxicology and Molecular Biology and supports the Institute’s vision of providing a comprehensive service to the Institute’s Pathologists.

Histology is the study of tissue at a microscopic level. Pathologists take sample tissue at autopsy as part of the routine forensic investigation to determine the presence or absence of disease. The tissue is then processed in the Histology Laboratory to produce slides that are viewed under a microscope.

Special stains or immunohistochemistry may be required to further highlight tissue injury or classify disease processes. Histological examination of tissues may reveal findings which may not have been diagnosed ante mortem and may or may not be a contributing factor to the cause of death.

In cases of undiagnosed genetic illness, findings can be beneficial to surviving family members to access their risk of disease and sudden death.

Human Identification Services – Forensic Odontology, Anthropology and Molecular Biology

Formal identification of a deceased person is one of the key responsibilities of the coroner. In order to assist the coroner in this role the Human Identification Services (HIS) team ensures that the most appropriate identification method is employed to confirm the identification in a timely manner of all deceased persons who come into the care of the VIFM. The HIS team includes forensic anthropologists (who examine skeletal remains) and forensic odontologists (who are responsible for dental identifications). Their work is critical where visual identification of the deceased is not possible or is inappropriate.

Forensic anthropologists and odontologists also provide expert assessments of skeletal and orofacial trauma. This information can also be critical in the investigation of injuries in crimes against the person.

The HIS team also includes a consultant forensic archaeologist, who provides assistance in the search and recovery of human remains, and a forensic entomologist, who assists with legal investigations, including the assessment of time since death and the possible movement of deceased persons by others after death.

The forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory uses DNA analysis to assist in the identification of deceased persons. DNA is particularly useful where, as a result of severe trauma or decomposition, the deceased cannot be visually identified.

These services include the provision of kinship comparisons using nuclear DNA (nDNA) typing platforms, as well as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. The molecular biology team particularly assists with deaths involving drowning, fires, aircraft crashes, or mass fatality events (such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires).

The VIFM is one of only two accredited laboratories capable of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. As such, the VIFM also provides DNA analysis services to assist in criminal investigations in other states and territories. These cases range from long-term missing persons to complex cold-case homicide investigations, which require the analysis of large numbers of compromised samples (such as hairs and skeletal elements).

In cases of unidentified human remains, the HIS team and Molecular Biology work closely with the Coroner’s Court of Victoria and Victoria Police to match them with reported cases of long-term missing persons.

Missing Loved Ones – DNA Samples

The VIFM, the Coroners Court of Victoria and Victoria Police invite family members who have a missing loved one to consider providing a family reference DNA sample, for the purpose of assisting in the reconciliation of missing persons with unidentified human remains.

In this video, we go behind the scenes to learn how DNA may be the missing piece of information to provide families with answers.

Familial DNA Sample Collection Program – Victoria

The National Missing Persons Week is an annual week of action that takes place in Australia to raise awareness surrounding missing persons cases and processes. The VIFM together with the Coroners Court of Victoria and Victoria Police would like to invite members of the public who have a missing relative, and who unfortunately believe that there is a possibility that the person maybe deceased, to consider providing a family reference DNA sample for the purpose of assisting in the reconciliation of missing persons with unidentified human remains. While we are keen to promote National Missing Persons Week, we also encourage members of the public who have a missing relative to make contact with us at any time during the year.

This outreach initiative is being undertake in order to improve the capacity to match long-term missing persons to unidentified remains in Victoria and nationally.

Toxicology Services for Victoria Police

Scientific research conducted at the Institute over many years has shown that certain drugs increase the risk of having a collision on our roads. Work conducted within the VIFM toxicology laboratory led to the initiation of the world’s first random drug testing program in Victoria in 2004. Current Victorian legislation allows drivers to be stopped randomly and tested for presence of stimulants (methylamphetamine and ecstasy) and cannabis in oral fluid.

The VIFM forensic toxicology laboratory undertakes analysis of road traffic samples for Victoria Police to confirm the presence of these drugs in drivers.

In addition to the analyses from randomly tested drivers, the VIFM also undertakes the forensic analyses of samples from drivers injured in road accidents, as well as those suspected of being drug impaired while driving. The prevalence of drugs in injured drivers is not markedly different to those drivers killed in accidents.

VIFM continues to collaborate with Victoria Police to identify the range and extent to which other drugs contribute to road trauma. The Universal Drug Screening Project monitors other drugs detected in a cohort of injured drivers and is now in its ninth year.

In addition to these services for Victoria Police, the VIFM also provides specialist toxicology analyses for drug facilitated crime cases. These investigations involve the analysis of blood, urine and hair for alcohol and a comprehensive range of drugs.

The laboratory continues to develop analytical methods to meet both the demand and proliferation of other new drugs by utilising its own expertise as well as engaging with forensic networks across Australia and New Zealand.

Clinical Forensic Medicine

Sexual assault examinations

The VIFM clinical forensic medical staff undertake medical examinations of adult sexual assault victims across the state of Victoria. These services are provided at the request of Victoria Police. Additionally, medical and nursing staff offer ‘just in case’ forensic assessments at Monash Medical Centre, should the patient remain undecided about police notification.

It is essential that CFM staff provide these medical examinations in a timely manner and they are undertaken within a safe environment. Examinations are performed with attention to the best available evidence regarding forensic collection technique and cut off times. Staff implement measures to reduce the potential for DNA cross contamination and aim to treat all patients in a sensitive and trauma informed way to minimise any ongoing distress.

This service is offered 24/7 across Victoria, predominantly at either a Crisis Care Unit within a hospital or at a Multi- Disciplinary Centre. In addition to these primary sites, examinations are undertaken within Emergency Units and Intensive Care Units, adding to the complexity of service provision.

A new forensic medical examination proforma is being trialled and will replace the existing one. A new and revised FMEK (Forensic Medical Examination Kit) is about to be launched. This is a leaner (less components) and DNA reduced (compliant with current international standards) version of the existing kit. For the first time, there will be a Contamination Reduction Kit (CRK). This allows forensic examiners to work in a variety of sites, ensuring that any potential for contamination is minimised.

Physical assault examinations

Victims of physical violence, including victims of family violence, are also patients of the VIFM clinical medical team. Our doctors and nurses obtain information about the alleged incident from the patient, collect forensic evidence when relevant and document any injuries including photography.

This information can assist with determining the causation of the injuries and forms the basis of the expert medical evidence CFM staff provide to the courts. Importantly, this information is often the only independent evidence that can corroborate the statement of victims regarding the nature of the assault they suffered.

While victims of violence are the most frequent patients of our clinical service, alleged perpetrators (including those aged less than 18 years) may also need to be examined. These examinations provide an opportunity to collect evidential samples for forensic testing and to document injuries that may have occurred during an alleged assault.

Biological sample collection

The VIFM forensic nurses and doctors currently provide a biological sample collection service for Victoria. This 24-hour service is composed of both traffic related and nontraffic related forensic medical sample collection. This involves obtaining blood and/or urine specimens from suspected intoxicated drivers at the request of police investigators or when an alleged offending driver requests a blood sample. The majority of this work forms part of Victoria Police evidence collection processes for traffic incidents and road traffic offences.

This forensic evidence collection service also includes obtaining intimate biological specimens/ samples from alleged offenders. Our staff can attend police stations across Victoria to perform this service.

Fitness for interview examinations

When police have concerns as to the fitness for interview of detainees (including those aged less than 18 years of age), the VIFM provides a 24-hour service for assessment of these persons. Fitness for interview may be affected by a large number of medical and social factors including mental illness; intoxication; cognitive issues; sleep deprivation and injury. This assessment of detainees is critical in ensuring that any police interview can be admitted in evidence at court as well as the diversion of detainees into appropriate medical services when required. Numbers for these assessments have progressively grown over the last few years.

Expert Opinion

Our staff provide expert forensic medical opinions for: injury interpretation; interpretation of medical services patients’ records and clinical notes; assistance with determining seriousness of injury; alcohol read back calculations; and assessment and opinion regarding driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria

Since its establishment in 1989 as the first multi-tissue bank in Australia, the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV) has provided surgeons and their patients with tens of thousands of safe, high-quality bone, skin, tendon and cardiovascular grafts for surgical use.

Human tissue grafts provide immeasurable benefits to the health of the community. For burn victims and heart valve recipients, transplantation of skin and heart valves can be lifesaving. For those undergoing orthopaedic and spinal surgery, transplantation of bone and tendons can vastly improve their quality of life.

The DTBV sources human tissue from deceased and living donors through the DonateLife network of donation nurses and the DTBV’s in-house nurses in close consultation with donor families. The DTBV also partners with the Lions Eye Donation Service and facilitates the retrieval of corneas for sight-saving eye surgeries.

Once retrieved, donated human tissue undergoes extensive testing and processing necessary to meet Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards. The process from donation to readiness for surgical use can take up to 18 months.  However, with recent improvements one deceased donation can provide up to 200 human tissue grafts for transplantation.

The amazing gift of human tissue donation offers relatives and loved ones the opportunity to salvage something positive from the tragic loss of someone they loved.  The gift of each individual donor is formally commemorated at the DTBV’s annual “Leaf Day” afternoon tea, attended by DTBV staff and donor families.

You can learn more about the gift of human tissue donation, “Leaf Day” and the operations of the DTBV on the DTBV’s website. www.dtbv.org.au

The International Program

The VIFM’s International Program is a central facilitation, coordination and monitoring point for the VIFM’s national and international activities. The Program provides support for professional staff engaged in national and international work as well and for international medical and scientific fellows undertaking on-site training placements. The International Program is headed by the VIFM Director, Professor Noel Woodford.

The VIFM has a long history of engagement with international forensic medical and scientific communities and practitioners. The VIFM develops and enhances its capabilities, in part, through its interaction, collaborations and partnerships with international forensic institutes. The VIFM is one of the very few forensic organisations in the world that offers postgraduate forensic medical and scientific professional development programs.

The VIFM also contributes to the development of forensic medical and scientific capacity in resource-poor nations, particularly in South East Asia and the Pacific, where specialist training for forensic doctors is often limited. VIFM training placements are highly sought after by international clinicians and scientists.

The International Program develops funding proposals for national and international work and coordinates responses to national and international project opportunities. Opportunities are assessed through a consultative process, which considers the project’s alignment with the VIFM’s strategic goals, its impact on and contribution to statutory service delivery, donor funding, key stakeholders and benefits to the VIFM. The assessment recognises both monetary and non-monetary benefits, such as professional experience, strategic partnerships and research.

Effective justice and public health systems are underpinned by expert medico-legal death and injury investigation systems. Many nations in our region have a limited capacity to undertake the day-to-day forensic investigation of suspicious or violent deaths (homicides, suicides and accidents) and injuries (physical and sexual assault of adults and children). They also struggle to cope with identification of mass casualties in the event of natural disasters, terrorist events, a ferry sinking or a plane crash.

International organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Justice Rapid Response and the International Criminal Court (ICC) call upon the VIFM’s professional expertise in death investigation, the investigation of interpersonal violence (including sexual violence), forensic toxicology, mass casualty management, disaster victim identification (DVI) and the investigation of human rights violations.