Short Courses
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Analysis and Interpretation of Skeletal Trauma
Course Description
This intensive short course details the principles and practice of the analysis and interpretation of skeletal trauma from the perspective of the Forensic Anthropologist. Through a series of didactic lectures and practicals delivered by forensic medical and science experts from the VIFM and external organisations, this course will cover trauma biomechanics, the principles and effects of different types of trauma on the skeleton (blunt force, sharp force, gunshot and blast), the timing of skeletal trauma and how best to record and present skeletal trauma evidence in court. This unique course is the only one of its kind in Australia and will enable participants to apply principles and learnings to real case scenarios. It is relevant to professionals and students involved in the analysis of human skeletal remains including forensic anthropologists, forensic pathologists (and registrars), biological archaeologists, and heritage officers. Basic knowledge of human osteology is required to participate.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course participants will have:
- an understanding of the role of different experts in the analysis and interpretation of skeletal trauma;
- a basic understanding of the biomechanics of skeletal trauma;
- knowledge of different types of trauma including (blunt force, sharp force, gunshot, projectile, and blast);
- an understanding of the complexity of interpreting the timing of skeletal trauma;
- knowledge about the importance of taphonomy in the context of interpreting skeletal trauma
- skills in how to appropriately describe skeletal trauma, and
- awareness of the limitations when giving evidence in court related to skeletal trauma.
WHEN
Tuesday 4 July – Friday 7 July 2023
Cost
Full: $2,300
Student: $1,900
This includes:
- Course manual;
- Site visit to the Victorian Police Forensic Services Department;
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea;
- Certificate of completion, and
- Group dinner (Blue Train, Southbank).
Registration of this short course requires full fee payment; this course is not eligible for fee HELP or CSP.
Location
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
65 Kavanagh Street
Southbank Victoria 3006
Please note this course is offered in a face-to-face format only. Online attendance is not available.
Course Convenors
Professor Soren Blau
Senior Forensic Anthropologist, VIFM
Manager, Identification Services, VIFM
Dr Samantha Rowbotham
Forensic Anthropologist, VIFM
Registrations will be limited to 25 and will close as soon as this limit has been reached
There is no on-site parking available.
Terms and Conditions: Registrations are limited to 25 attendees and are allocated on a first come first serve basis. Registrations will close once this quota has been reached. Should the course fail to attract more than 12 registrations 4 weeks prior to the start date, the course will be cancelled. In the event of a cancellation, full refunds will be processed. If you are unable to attend, registrations can either be transferred to another party or a refund issued. Refunds need to be requested in writing and sent to short.courses@vifm.org at least 7 days prior to the course commencing. Refunds requested within 7 days of the course commencing will be subject to an administrative fee of $150. The program is accurate at the time of publication. It may be subject to change. If there are substantial changes the participants will be notified.