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.