Research is a key pillar that underpins both the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and The Department of Forensic Medicine, the strategic partnership between Monash University & VIFM. VIFM research programs strive to improve the services provided to the coroner and the courts. Established in the late 1980’s, the Department of Forensic Medicine has since made a major contribution to the international fields of forensic medicine, science and law with more than 1,000 publications.

Fundamental to all VIFM & DFM research programs, is a drive to deliver relevant and concise results that benefit the public at large and are also easily understood by the judicial system. Focusing on 3 core themes; intentional and unintentional injury prevention, sudden or unexpected natural cause deaths and drug intelligence, the research of both VIFM & DFM has significantly contributed to death and injury prevention both domestically and internationally.

The sensitive nature of our research necessitates high levels of oversight and ethical practices, as we strive to service the community. Governance is therefore a vital component of our research, it ensuring and protecting the integrity and legitimacy of our research findings and outcomes.