Department of Forensic Medicine – Postgraduate Students – The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

Genetic genealogy and Victoria’s unknown human remains

In collaboration with totheletter DNA and the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, the VIFM is undertaking a pilot project to evaluate a genetic genealogy approach to identifying a small number of coronial cases where conventional DNA analysis has not provided results. A detailed DNA profile from the unidentified body will be uploaded into a genealogy website, such as GEDmatch, and any kinship matches to DNA profiles provided by other GEDmatch participants are analysed by a genealogist to attempt to identify a common ancestor and relationships to immediate family members. This technology has been used successfully in the USA to identify alleged offenders, missing persons and the biological parents of adoptees.

The Location of Missing Persons

The VIFM is directing a research project at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) in Western Sydney. The project will identify techniques or methods that can assist in the location of mass graves in different environments. The detection of clandestine graves in heavily vegetated areas, where conventional satellite imagery is of no use, is challenging. For the first time in the Southern hemisphere real bodies from body donation programs have been used to create a series of mock mass graves. Baseline environmental data has been collected to monitor and study the effects of decomposition with a limited range of detection techniques over a three year period. Initial results are promising.

CT database and Machine learning

The VIFM is researching the development of techniques to predict what the face would look like for an unidentified skull using CT scans with machine learning software. This software could potentially be combined with the use of the VIFM’s new Massive Parallel Sequencer (hair colour, eye colour, skin tone) to provide more realistic reconstruction of faces of unidentified remains.

The use of bomb pulse dating to determine year of birth and death

Working towards improving the investigation of unidentified human remains in an Australian context: The VIFM is assessing the accuracy of bomb pulse dating for estimating year of birth and death in decomposed or skeletonised remains. The atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and early 1960s produced large amounts of radiocarbon. Different biological tissues (bone, tooth, hair and nail) will be tested at the Australian National University by comparing environmental levels of Carbon-14 (14C) to 14C levels within these tissues to estimate the year of tissue formation.

Facial recognition of the deceased

The VIFM is working with Defence and Science Technology (DST) in the Commonwealth Department of Defence to determine the ability of automated facial recognition system to identify and verify deceased individuals. DST has expertise in developing and testing facial recognition software. This will be the first project to assess its ability to match the image of a deceased person with an ante-mortem photo of that individual. If successful, this type of software may be used in DVI responses involving large numbers of deceased.

Career Information Afternoons for Secondary School Students

As it is not possible for VIFM to offer work experience to students due to the sensitive nature of our work, secondary school students in years 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to attend a Career Information afternoon. These sessions are designed to offer an insight into the various career options available and are held twice a year during the April and September school holidays.

Specialist staff from VIFM, Victoria Police and the Coroners Court will talk to students about what it’s like to work in their chosen fields and what path they took to get where they are today. Students wishing to attend MUST complete the registration as numbers are limited. Please check back here closer to April or September for the sign-up link. If your query is not answered in this section, please contact the HR & OD team via email at jobs@vifm.org

If you are unable to attend a session, or would like more information about what we do, please view our web series which is due out in 2019.

Health Law and Ageing Research Unit

The Health Law and Ageing Research Unit is a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim with assistance from Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja.

The unit is focused on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Research in this area uses existing information from medico-legal death investigations of older people, and applies the results to identify opportunities for improvement, and to inform changes and optimal practice through the development of new resources, policies, procedures and protocols for aged care and health professionals.

Specific research projects of this unit include:

Preventable deaths in aged care research – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013. This project involves analysis of deaths from choking on food, complications of clinical care, asphyxia due to physical restraints and suicide. There are seven separate studies in this project.
Dignity of Risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia. Topics being explored include limitations of clinical care and the right to take a risk that improves quality of life.
Nature of Coroners’ recommendations following health care related deaths – the focus of this project is on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – this project investigates sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes and will be completed in collaboration with the VIFM’s Clinical Forensic Medicine service.
Publication of educational material through the VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué.

Gambia

In December of 2017, the National Assembly of The Gambia passed a bill establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which aims to “investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the nature, causes and extent of violations and abuses of human rights in the period from July 1994 to January 2017”. Part of the work of the TRRC is to “establish and make known the fate or whereabouts of disappeared victims” (TRRC Act 2017, page 9). Location and identification of the missing is therefore essential.

Associate Professor Soren Blau spent 8 days in Gambia working with TRRC investigators and commissioners providing forensic advice for specific cases. While exhumation has been a common activity of many truth commissions, the implementation of exhumation is the first endeavour of this kind for the TRRC in The Gambia.

Melbourne

The VIFM receives regular visits by international forensic medical delegations and also hosts training placements by international forensic doctors and scientists.

International Centre in Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing

The International Centre for Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing is a world leader in empirical and translational research, education and public policy in all the medico-legal aspects of ageing. The Centre’s human resource capacity includes recognised experts from Victoria, nationally throughout Australia and internationally from USA, Canada, UK, NZ and other countries in the fields of aged care, health law and public policy.

Our purpose is to develop and conduct research, education, training and clinical engagement, and to promote policy reforms that protects the rights and choices of older people, as well as addressing elder abuse and preventable harm from injury including health care.

The centre is committed to serving the public interest nationally and internationally by promoting and integrating the fields of health, aged care, medicine, law and forensic science into practice. The Centre is led by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with clinical and operational expertise from Dr David Ranson and Dr Nicola Cunningham.

Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit

The Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit (VIRTU) comprises co-leadership by our clinical and research staff, Dr Maaike Moller, Clinical Forensic Medicine and Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja, Department of Forensic Medicine. Associate Professor Richard Bassed is the sponsor of the unit and a research contributor.

The purpose of VIRTU is to conduct research and training activities that enhance the medico-legal investigation of self-directed and interpersonal violence. By optimising the medico-legal investigation of violence it is intended that public health and legal outcomes can be improved.

VIRTU was established in 2018 with the initial projects including:

Training for Victoria Police’s Centre for Family Violence – Foundation Program.
Development of an enhanced family violence dataset for clinical forensic assessments of abuse, sexual assault and fitness for interview.
Research on the risk profiles for victims and perpetrators of family violence examined by Clinical Forensic Physicians.
Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) grant to support research into breaking patterns of violence to prevent family homicide. This project aims to quantify the relationship and interdependencies between risk factors and service utilisation among family homicide victims and offenders. These will be identified from an analysis of criminal justice and Coroners’ data on family homicide using Bayesian networks. This innovative approach will produce a model to predict the probability of a lethal outcome, and enable resources to be targeted for interventions to parties identified as high risk prior to escalation that could lead to death.

Current Vacancies

All vacancies are placed on the Careers Gov website. Resumes and job applications can only be accepted in response to a specific vacancy that is advertised via www.careers.vic.gov.au.

For specific queries relating to vacant positions, please contact the Position Contact listed in each advertisement. Please do not submit your resume “just in case”.

However, you can register to be sent e-mail alerts from VIFM jobs via www.careers.vic.gov.au as soon as jobs that match your requirements are advertised. Go to the Current Vacancies on the website and click on Register to set up an account.

Entry Requirements?

Entry requirements are specific to each of the streams offered
Academic qualifications include; Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Hons), Bachelor of Radiography & Medical Imaging (Hons)
All students must have professional experience and current employment within their field.
All students must hold current professional registration with the relevant agency, EG AHPRA
English requirements, IELTS: 7 overall (no band lower than 6.5)

TOEFL Paper-based test: 600 with a TWE of 5.0

TOEFL Internet-based test; score of 100 overall with minimum scores: Writing – 24, Listening – 20, Reading – 20 & Speaking – 20.

For further detail please click here

Kiribati

The VIFM provided training for local authorities on Management of the Dead in disasters at the request of the WHO.

Philippines

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 to provide advice to the WHO on Management of the Dead. The VIFM delivered training in management of the Dead in disasters for police first responders in Manila in 2018.

Sri Lanka

The VIFM has also delivered forensic medical training in Sri Lanka and provided advice on mortuary planning and management.

Japan

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to Japan for the ICRC following the 2014 to provide advice on management of the dead.

Nepal

Stephen Cordner and VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau deployed to Kathmandu in 2015 for the ICRC in the aftermath of the earthquake to provide advice on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) infrastructure and response.

Afghanistan

Professor Stephen Cordner delivered intensive training in Forensic Medicine for Afghani doctors in Kabul in August 2015 for the ICRC.

Forensic Molecular Biology (DNA)

The molecular biology staff of the Forensic Services Division can provide scientific expert opinions across a range of fields relating to DNA analysis and interpretation including: testing of new or historic samples and the interpretation of the test results from other laboratories.

Crime Scene Assessment

There is considerable amount of information that can be gathered from a crime scene. The correlation of the appearances of a death scene with the findings on the body may be of crucial significance in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death.

The scope of examination at the scene of death depends on the circumstances, but in most cases, important forensic information can be gathered from:

position of the body
rigor mortis (stiffening of the body sometime after death)
post-mortem hypostatic lividity (discoloration of the skin)
temperature of the body and its environment
insects
medication or other medical information
wounds
possible weapons

In some cases it may be possible for a forensic practitioner, on examining a body at the scene of a suspicious death, to raise the possibility that the death is the result of a natural disease process. The provision of timely information from the VIFM practitioners to investigators may assist in focusing the police investigation. Where a potentially suspicious death can be quickly identified to be due to natural disease, unnecessary criminal investigations can be avoided, preventing the waste of valuable police resources.

How the VIFM Forensic Experts and Victoria Police Work Together at a Crime Scene

When a death occurs in circumstance suggestive of a possible crime the death scene is examined by a team of individuals that comprises police officers, forensic scientists, forensic pathologists and other specialist examiners such as forensic anthropologists or entomologists. Other specialists may also be involved in the examination of a scene of a suspicious death including surveyors, photographers and video-camera operators.

The case investigation process begins with the analysis of information relating to the deceased person prior to death, together with an analysis of the scene, and the environment in which the person died or was found dead. Investigators from the VIFM include details of their crime scene investigation in their medico-legal reports as it is usually relevant to the interpretation of their medical or scientific findings. The police crime scene examiners or forensic scientists complete the overall examination of a crime scene, and deal with the matters not directly related to the body.

Drug Intelligence

Led by forensic toxicologist, Dr Jennifer Pilgrim, the drug intelligence research unit specialises in the investigation of the harmful outcomes of licit and illicit drug use on the community. Utilising a multidisciplinary approach combining forensic toxicology, public health and injury epidemiology has led directly to changes in Australian public health policy. The unit continues to be a research leader in this field with a focus on death prevention and safer drug use.

Family violence – development of a clinical forensic medicine family violence database.
Prescription drug misuse – examination of the nature and extent of this issue.
Opioid addiction and harms – investigation of the harms related to all forms of opioids.
Alcohol related suicide –research into preventative pharmacotherapy for alcohol related suicide, collaboration with the University of Sydney.
Drug-caused death in vulnerable populations – focusing on Australian sub-populations that demonstrate vulnerability to drug misuse and toxic fatality.
Drug facilitated sexual assault and violent offending – examination of the bio-psychosocial factors of drug-facilitated sexual assault and violent offending.
The Toxicologist database – multinational collaboration with Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, developing the world’s first international reference for toxic concentrations of drugs.
The global health challenge of drug misuse and abuse – a global study examining issues related to drug misuse, including drug policy, drug education, detection and awareness.

Injury Prevention - Unintentional

Led by Professor Ozane Smith, the unintentional injury prevention unit focuses on consumer product safety and injury prevention in low and middle income countries. This research unit has contributed to World Health Organisation initiatives, such as the Global Report of Drowning.

Ladder injury – Ladder Falls Prevention; a resource for home ladder users.
Cigarette-related fatal fires – evaluating the effectiveness of the Australian mandatory standard for reduced fire risk cigarettes in decreasing fatal fires.
Drowning prevention – focusing on potential for synergy between safe drinking water programs and drowning prevention. Formed part of a WHO report and international conference.
Deaths in custody – examination of indigenous deaths in custody and within 12 months of release. Collaboration with Griffith University.

Injury Prevention - Intentional

Managed by the Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, the intentional injury prevention unit is a multi-disciplinary team combining expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with assistance from Dr Lyndal Bugeja, and focuses on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Preventable deaths in aged care – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013.
Dignity of risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia.
Nature of Coroners recommendations following health care related deaths – focusing on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – investigating sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes.
VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué – quarterly publication of educational material.

Forensic Odontology

Graduate as an authority on the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in the justice system
Focuses on human identification (including mass fatality victim identification), bite mark analysis, craniofacial trauma analysis, age estimation (of both the living and the deceased), child abuse, and dental malpractice.
Gain formal qualification as a forensic dentist

Download Forensic Odontology Course Stream PDF

Clinical Forensic Medicine

Explore and master the intersection of medical practice and the law
Specialises in sexual assault, physical assault, traffic medicine & custodial medicine
Gain formal qualification as a clinical forensic expert

Download the Clinical Forensic Medicine Course Stream PDF

Forensic Medical Science

Become expert in recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence
Disciplines include anthropology, forensic toxicology, mortuary technical science, forensic imaging and the application of molecular biology
Gain formal qualification as a forensic scientist

Download Forensic Medical Science Course Stream PDF

Malaysia

The VIFM developed a training curriculum on the Management of the Dead in disasters for ASEAN Police First Responders. The first workshop was delivered to the Malaysian National Police in July 2017 and a second workshop was delivered in the Philippines in November 2018.

India

Professor Stephen Cordner participated in the inaugural International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics in Gujarat, India.

South Africa

The VIFM Forensic Technical Services and CAE Manager, Dr Jodie Leditschke was invited by the ICRC to be a lecturer in the training program for forensic doctors, disaster managers and government representatives from Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Libya and South Africa.

Canada

At the International Association of Forensic Sciences Meeting in Ontario in 2017, the VIFM hosted a day-long APMLA workshop on the Forensic Response to Mass Disasters and Terrorist Attacks in the Asia Pacific Region.

Sydney

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) commissioned the VIFM in May 2018 to undertake a review to improve the practice and response of its member organisations in the prevention of sexual misconduct.

Cook Islands

The VIFM forensic pathologists and technicians visited Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in 2016 to undertake forensic autopsies at the request of the Ministry of Justice.

Netherlands

Identification of victims of MH17 – need details

Thailand

Tsunami – need details

Ukraine

VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau was deployed to the Ukraine in March 2016 for four weeks. Dr Blau undertook an assessment of the main mortuary in Donetsk and training requirements for dead body management in conflict settings, the examination of remains and ante and post-mortem data management.

Liberia

Forensic pathologists, Professor Stephen Corner and Dr Heinrich Bouwer undertook separate deployments to Liberia in August and September 2014 for the ICRC to provide advice on dead body management in the Ebola crisis.

Geneva

Associate Professor David Wells was the lead author for a WHO publication that provides guidelines for the Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations.

Professor Stephen Cordner, in consultation with the ICRC Forensic Advisory Board and others, edited the 2017 update of the WHO/ICRC’s The Management of Dead Bodies Following Disasters: A field manual for first responders. This was launched in Geneva in 2016.

Samoa

In December 2014, the VIFM completed a two year project for institutional strengthening of Samoa’s infrastructure for the medico-legal investigation of and care for adult and child victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

Palestine

Professor Stephen Cordner and Associate Professor David Wells were commissioned by the UNODC to undertake forensic medical capacity development planning and resource development for the State of Palestine. This work has included the development of an autopsy manual and the training of forensic medical staff in Palestine.

Specialist Recognition

Recognised by Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Master of Forensic Medicine is the recommended first step for specialist pathways
Enhance your standing as a clinic forensic expert

Outcomes

Integrate an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and cognitive skills to demonstrate safe practice in your field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science.
exercise initiative and expert judgement in the field of forensic medicine , dentistry or science practice
appropriately interpret and incorporate medico-legal principles to the practice of a specific field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science
provide advanced analytical skills in the application of a specific field of forensic services in the community
evaluate current research and critically apply the results to the practice of forensic medicine for the benefit of the community
conduct independent research to further enhance the practice of forensic medicine
work and communicate effectively as a service provider in the field of forensic medicine.

Coursework

The course is structured in 2 parts. Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations and Part B – Advanced expertise
Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations: develop your understanding and skills in 3 key areas- medical evidence / forensic science & ethics / medicine & the law
Part B – Advanced expertise: learn specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of forensic medicine applicable to your skills
Master of Forensic Medicine is predominantly an online course, you will be expected to effectively manage your study load
There is a 2 day face to face requirement for each unit, these days are held at VIFM in Southbank, Melbourne
Links to DFM & Monash

What Skills Will I Learn?

• Make high level, independent judgements in the forensic setting
• Become an expert clinical forensic practitioners
• Gain expert knowledge of medico-legal principles
• Develop the skills to clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system
• Learn to interpret wounds and injury patterns
• Critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice

Forensic Mortuary

emergency management including community fatality management
mortuary design and operations
mortuary management and administration
mortuary quality management
mortuary occupational health and safety
mortuary aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Odontology

craniofacial injury
craniofacial superimposition
dental trauma
comparative dental characteristics
human identification
bite mark analysis
review of community dental services
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Anthropology

identification of human remains
skeletal injury investigations
post-mortem changes to the human body
the investigation of clandestine graves
the investigation of mass graves
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification

Forensic Radiology

the conduct of clinical radiology investigations and procedures
forensic interpretation of clinical radiological studies
interpretation of post-mortem radiographic examinations
mortuary radiology design and operations including imaging protocols
forensic radiology equipment specifications
mortuary radiology management and administration
post-mortem radiology quality control including audit
occupational health and safety for mortuary-based radiology services
radiological imaging in disaster management and disaster victim identification.

Forensic Toxicology

testing for illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drugs
interpretation of illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drug levels
human pharmacology
post-mortem drug level interpretation
pharmacokinetics
toxicology laboratory design, management and operations
laboratory quality systems.

Forensic Pathology

injury interpretation
cause of death
reconstruction of events around death in circumstances of homicide or suspicious deaths
advice in civil matters relating to workplace disease, death and injury
medical aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Clinical Forensic Medicine

injury interpretation
electrical death and injury investigations
adult and child physical and sexual assault
clinical pharmacology (alcohol, drugs and driving skills)
custodial medicine
medico-legal issues in hospital medicine, general practice and emergency medicine
traffic medicine including fitness to drive.

Microbiology

The investigation of diseases caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Immunopathology

The investigation of allergic reactions and autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and thyroid conditions.

Haematology

The investigation of diseases that affect the blood such as anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, clotting or bleeding disorders as well as management of blood transfusions.

Chemical Pathology

The analysis and interpretation of abnormal changes in chemicals found in blood and body fluids (such as electrolytes, enzymes and proteins).

Genetics

The analysis of chromosomes and DNA to diagnose genetic diseases and to assist in the identification of individuals and their families.

Anatomical Pathology

The examination of organs and tissues for features of disease and responses to injury.

Genetic genealogy and Victoria’s unknown human remains

In collaboration with totheletter DNA and the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, the VIFM is undertaking a pilot project to evaluate a genetic genealogy approach to identifying a small number of coronial cases where conventional DNA analysis has not provided results. A detailed DNA profile from the unidentified body will be uploaded into a genealogy website, such as GEDmatch, and any kinship matches to DNA profiles provided by other GEDmatch participants are analysed by a genealogist to attempt to identify a common ancestor and relationships to immediate family members. This technology has been used successfully in the USA to identify alleged offenders, missing persons and the biological parents of adoptees.

The Location of Missing Persons

The VIFM is directing a research project at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) in Western Sydney. The project will identify techniques or methods that can assist in the location of mass graves in different environments. The detection of clandestine graves in heavily vegetated areas, where conventional satellite imagery is of no use, is challenging. For the first time in the Southern hemisphere real bodies from body donation programs have been used to create a series of mock mass graves. Baseline environmental data has been collected to monitor and study the effects of decomposition with a limited range of detection techniques over a three year period. Initial results are promising.

CT database and Machine learning

The VIFM is researching the development of techniques to predict what the face would look like for an unidentified skull using CT scans with machine learning software. This software could potentially be combined with the use of the VIFM’s new Massive Parallel Sequencer (hair colour, eye colour, skin tone) to provide more realistic reconstruction of faces of unidentified remains.

The use of bomb pulse dating to determine year of birth and death

Working towards improving the investigation of unidentified human remains in an Australian context: The VIFM is assessing the accuracy of bomb pulse dating for estimating year of birth and death in decomposed or skeletonised remains. The atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and early 1960s produced large amounts of radiocarbon. Different biological tissues (bone, tooth, hair and nail) will be tested at the Australian National University by comparing environmental levels of Carbon-14 (14C) to 14C levels within these tissues to estimate the year of tissue formation.

Facial recognition of the deceased

The VIFM is working with Defence and Science Technology (DST) in the Commonwealth Department of Defence to determine the ability of automated facial recognition system to identify and verify deceased individuals. DST has expertise in developing and testing facial recognition software. This will be the first project to assess its ability to match the image of a deceased person with an ante-mortem photo of that individual. If successful, this type of software may be used in DVI responses involving large numbers of deceased.

Career Information Afternoons for Secondary School Students

As it is not possible for VIFM to offer work experience to students due to the sensitive nature of our work, secondary school students in years 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to attend a Career Information afternoon. These sessions are designed to offer an insight into the various career options available and are held twice a year during the April and September school holidays.

Specialist staff from VIFM, Victoria Police and the Coroners Court will talk to students about what it’s like to work in their chosen fields and what path they took to get where they are today. Students wishing to attend MUST complete the registration as numbers are limited. Please check back here closer to April or September for the sign-up link. If your query is not answered in this section, please contact the HR & OD team via email at jobs@vifm.org

If you are unable to attend a session, or would like more information about what we do, please view our web series which is due out in 2019.

Health Law and Ageing Research Unit

The Health Law and Ageing Research Unit is a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim with assistance from Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja.

The unit is focused on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Research in this area uses existing information from medico-legal death investigations of older people, and applies the results to identify opportunities for improvement, and to inform changes and optimal practice through the development of new resources, policies, procedures and protocols for aged care and health professionals.

Specific research projects of this unit include:

Preventable deaths in aged care research – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013. This project involves analysis of deaths from choking on food, complications of clinical care, asphyxia due to physical restraints and suicide. There are seven separate studies in this project.
Dignity of Risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia. Topics being explored include limitations of clinical care and the right to take a risk that improves quality of life.
Nature of Coroners’ recommendations following health care related deaths – the focus of this project is on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – this project investigates sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes and will be completed in collaboration with the VIFM’s Clinical Forensic Medicine service.
Publication of educational material through the VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué.

Gambia

In December of 2017, the National Assembly of The Gambia passed a bill establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which aims to “investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the nature, causes and extent of violations and abuses of human rights in the period from July 1994 to January 2017”. Part of the work of the TRRC is to “establish and make known the fate or whereabouts of disappeared victims” (TRRC Act 2017, page 9). Location and identification of the missing is therefore essential.

Associate Professor Soren Blau spent 8 days in Gambia working with TRRC investigators and commissioners providing forensic advice for specific cases. While exhumation has been a common activity of many truth commissions, the implementation of exhumation is the first endeavour of this kind for the TRRC in The Gambia.

Melbourne

The VIFM receives regular visits by international forensic medical delegations and also hosts training placements by international forensic doctors and scientists.

International Centre in Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing

The International Centre for Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing is a world leader in empirical and translational research, education and public policy in all the medico-legal aspects of ageing. The Centre’s human resource capacity includes recognised experts from Victoria, nationally throughout Australia and internationally from USA, Canada, UK, NZ and other countries in the fields of aged care, health law and public policy.

Our purpose is to develop and conduct research, education, training and clinical engagement, and to promote policy reforms that protects the rights and choices of older people, as well as addressing elder abuse and preventable harm from injury including health care.

The centre is committed to serving the public interest nationally and internationally by promoting and integrating the fields of health, aged care, medicine, law and forensic science into practice. The Centre is led by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with clinical and operational expertise from Dr David Ranson and Dr Nicola Cunningham.

Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit

The Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit (VIRTU) comprises co-leadership by our clinical and research staff, Dr Maaike Moller, Clinical Forensic Medicine and Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja, Department of Forensic Medicine. Associate Professor Richard Bassed is the sponsor of the unit and a research contributor.

The purpose of VIRTU is to conduct research and training activities that enhance the medico-legal investigation of self-directed and interpersonal violence. By optimising the medico-legal investigation of violence it is intended that public health and legal outcomes can be improved.

VIRTU was established in 2018 with the initial projects including:

Training for Victoria Police’s Centre for Family Violence – Foundation Program.
Development of an enhanced family violence dataset for clinical forensic assessments of abuse, sexual assault and fitness for interview.
Research on the risk profiles for victims and perpetrators of family violence examined by Clinical Forensic Physicians.
Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) grant to support research into breaking patterns of violence to prevent family homicide. This project aims to quantify the relationship and interdependencies between risk factors and service utilisation among family homicide victims and offenders. These will be identified from an analysis of criminal justice and Coroners’ data on family homicide using Bayesian networks. This innovative approach will produce a model to predict the probability of a lethal outcome, and enable resources to be targeted for interventions to parties identified as high risk prior to escalation that could lead to death.

Current Vacancies

All vacancies are placed on the Careers Gov website. Resumes and job applications can only be accepted in response to a specific vacancy that is advertised via www.careers.vic.gov.au.

For specific queries relating to vacant positions, please contact the Position Contact listed in each advertisement. Please do not submit your resume “just in case”.

However, you can register to be sent e-mail alerts from VIFM jobs via www.careers.vic.gov.au as soon as jobs that match your requirements are advertised. Go to the Current Vacancies on the website and click on Register to set up an account.

Entry Requirements?

Entry requirements are specific to each of the streams offered
Academic qualifications include; Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Hons), Bachelor of Radiography & Medical Imaging (Hons)
All students must have professional experience and current employment within their field.
All students must hold current professional registration with the relevant agency, EG AHPRA
English requirements, IELTS: 7 overall (no band lower than 6.5)

TOEFL Paper-based test: 600 with a TWE of 5.0

TOEFL Internet-based test; score of 100 overall with minimum scores: Writing – 24, Listening – 20, Reading – 20 & Speaking – 20.

For further detail please click here

Kiribati

The VIFM provided training for local authorities on Management of the Dead in disasters at the request of the WHO.

Philippines

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 to provide advice to the WHO on Management of the Dead. The VIFM delivered training in management of the Dead in disasters for police first responders in Manila in 2018.

Sri Lanka

The VIFM has also delivered forensic medical training in Sri Lanka and provided advice on mortuary planning and management.

Japan

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to Japan for the ICRC following the 2014 to provide advice on management of the dead.

Nepal

Stephen Cordner and VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau deployed to Kathmandu in 2015 for the ICRC in the aftermath of the earthquake to provide advice on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) infrastructure and response.

Afghanistan

Professor Stephen Cordner delivered intensive training in Forensic Medicine for Afghani doctors in Kabul in August 2015 for the ICRC.

Forensic Molecular Biology (DNA)

The molecular biology staff of the Forensic Services Division can provide scientific expert opinions across a range of fields relating to DNA analysis and interpretation including: testing of new or historic samples and the interpretation of the test results from other laboratories.

Crime Scene Assessment

There is considerable amount of information that can be gathered from a crime scene. The correlation of the appearances of a death scene with the findings on the body may be of crucial significance in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death.

The scope of examination at the scene of death depends on the circumstances, but in most cases, important forensic information can be gathered from:

position of the body
rigor mortis (stiffening of the body sometime after death)
post-mortem hypostatic lividity (discoloration of the skin)
temperature of the body and its environment
insects
medication or other medical information
wounds
possible weapons

In some cases it may be possible for a forensic practitioner, on examining a body at the scene of a suspicious death, to raise the possibility that the death is the result of a natural disease process. The provision of timely information from the VIFM practitioners to investigators may assist in focusing the police investigation. Where a potentially suspicious death can be quickly identified to be due to natural disease, unnecessary criminal investigations can be avoided, preventing the waste of valuable police resources.

How the VIFM Forensic Experts and Victoria Police Work Together at a Crime Scene

When a death occurs in circumstance suggestive of a possible crime the death scene is examined by a team of individuals that comprises police officers, forensic scientists, forensic pathologists and other specialist examiners such as forensic anthropologists or entomologists. Other specialists may also be involved in the examination of a scene of a suspicious death including surveyors, photographers and video-camera operators.

The case investigation process begins with the analysis of information relating to the deceased person prior to death, together with an analysis of the scene, and the environment in which the person died or was found dead. Investigators from the VIFM include details of their crime scene investigation in their medico-legal reports as it is usually relevant to the interpretation of their medical or scientific findings. The police crime scene examiners or forensic scientists complete the overall examination of a crime scene, and deal with the matters not directly related to the body.

Drug Intelligence

Led by forensic toxicologist, Dr Jennifer Pilgrim, the drug intelligence research unit specialises in the investigation of the harmful outcomes of licit and illicit drug use on the community. Utilising a multidisciplinary approach combining forensic toxicology, public health and injury epidemiology has led directly to changes in Australian public health policy. The unit continues to be a research leader in this field with a focus on death prevention and safer drug use.

Family violence – development of a clinical forensic medicine family violence database.
Prescription drug misuse – examination of the nature and extent of this issue.
Opioid addiction and harms – investigation of the harms related to all forms of opioids.
Alcohol related suicide –research into preventative pharmacotherapy for alcohol related suicide, collaboration with the University of Sydney.
Drug-caused death in vulnerable populations – focusing on Australian sub-populations that demonstrate vulnerability to drug misuse and toxic fatality.
Drug facilitated sexual assault and violent offending – examination of the bio-psychosocial factors of drug-facilitated sexual assault and violent offending.
The Toxicologist database – multinational collaboration with Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, developing the world’s first international reference for toxic concentrations of drugs.
The global health challenge of drug misuse and abuse – a global study examining issues related to drug misuse, including drug policy, drug education, detection and awareness.

Injury Prevention - Unintentional

Led by Professor Ozane Smith, the unintentional injury prevention unit focuses on consumer product safety and injury prevention in low and middle income countries. This research unit has contributed to World Health Organisation initiatives, such as the Global Report of Drowning.

Ladder injury – Ladder Falls Prevention; a resource for home ladder users.
Cigarette-related fatal fires – evaluating the effectiveness of the Australian mandatory standard for reduced fire risk cigarettes in decreasing fatal fires.
Drowning prevention – focusing on potential for synergy between safe drinking water programs and drowning prevention. Formed part of a WHO report and international conference.
Deaths in custody – examination of indigenous deaths in custody and within 12 months of release. Collaboration with Griffith University.

Injury Prevention - Intentional

Managed by the Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, the intentional injury prevention unit is a multi-disciplinary team combining expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with assistance from Dr Lyndal Bugeja, and focuses on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Preventable deaths in aged care – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013.
Dignity of risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia.
Nature of Coroners recommendations following health care related deaths – focusing on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – investigating sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes.
VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué – quarterly publication of educational material.

Forensic Odontology

Graduate as an authority on the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in the justice system
Focuses on human identification (including mass fatality victim identification), bite mark analysis, craniofacial trauma analysis, age estimation (of both the living and the deceased), child abuse, and dental malpractice.
Gain formal qualification as a forensic dentist

Download Forensic Odontology Course Stream PDF

Clinical Forensic Medicine

Explore and master the intersection of medical practice and the law
Specialises in sexual assault, physical assault, traffic medicine & custodial medicine
Gain formal qualification as a clinical forensic expert

Download the Clinical Forensic Medicine Course Stream PDF

Forensic Medical Science

Become expert in recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence
Disciplines include anthropology, forensic toxicology, mortuary technical science, forensic imaging and the application of molecular biology
Gain formal qualification as a forensic scientist

Download Forensic Medical Science Course Stream PDF

Malaysia

The VIFM developed a training curriculum on the Management of the Dead in disasters for ASEAN Police First Responders. The first workshop was delivered to the Malaysian National Police in July 2017 and a second workshop was delivered in the Philippines in November 2018.

India

Professor Stephen Cordner participated in the inaugural International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics in Gujarat, India.

South Africa

The VIFM Forensic Technical Services and CAE Manager, Dr Jodie Leditschke was invited by the ICRC to be a lecturer in the training program for forensic doctors, disaster managers and government representatives from Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Libya and South Africa.

Canada

At the International Association of Forensic Sciences Meeting in Ontario in 2017, the VIFM hosted a day-long APMLA workshop on the Forensic Response to Mass Disasters and Terrorist Attacks in the Asia Pacific Region.

Sydney

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) commissioned the VIFM in May 2018 to undertake a review to improve the practice and response of its member organisations in the prevention of sexual misconduct.

Cook Islands

The VIFM forensic pathologists and technicians visited Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in 2016 to undertake forensic autopsies at the request of the Ministry of Justice.

Netherlands

Identification of victims of MH17 – need details

Thailand

Tsunami – need details

Ukraine

VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau was deployed to the Ukraine in March 2016 for four weeks. Dr Blau undertook an assessment of the main mortuary in Donetsk and training requirements for dead body management in conflict settings, the examination of remains and ante and post-mortem data management.

Liberia

Forensic pathologists, Professor Stephen Corner and Dr Heinrich Bouwer undertook separate deployments to Liberia in August and September 2014 for the ICRC to provide advice on dead body management in the Ebola crisis.

Geneva

Associate Professor David Wells was the lead author for a WHO publication that provides guidelines for the Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations.

Professor Stephen Cordner, in consultation with the ICRC Forensic Advisory Board and others, edited the 2017 update of the WHO/ICRC’s The Management of Dead Bodies Following Disasters: A field manual for first responders. This was launched in Geneva in 2016.

Samoa

In December 2014, the VIFM completed a two year project for institutional strengthening of Samoa’s infrastructure for the medico-legal investigation of and care for adult and child victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

Palestine

Professor Stephen Cordner and Associate Professor David Wells were commissioned by the UNODC to undertake forensic medical capacity development planning and resource development for the State of Palestine. This work has included the development of an autopsy manual and the training of forensic medical staff in Palestine.

Specialist Recognition

Recognised by Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Master of Forensic Medicine is the recommended first step for specialist pathways
Enhance your standing as a clinic forensic expert

Outcomes

Integrate an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and cognitive skills to demonstrate safe practice in your field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science.
exercise initiative and expert judgement in the field of forensic medicine , dentistry or science practice
appropriately interpret and incorporate medico-legal principles to the practice of a specific field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science
provide advanced analytical skills in the application of a specific field of forensic services in the community
evaluate current research and critically apply the results to the practice of forensic medicine for the benefit of the community
conduct independent research to further enhance the practice of forensic medicine
work and communicate effectively as a service provider in the field of forensic medicine.

Coursework

The course is structured in 2 parts. Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations and Part B – Advanced expertise
Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations: develop your understanding and skills in 3 key areas- medical evidence / forensic science & ethics / medicine & the law
Part B – Advanced expertise: learn specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of forensic medicine applicable to your skills
Master of Forensic Medicine is predominantly an online course, you will be expected to effectively manage your study load
There is a 2 day face to face requirement for each unit, these days are held at VIFM in Southbank, Melbourne
Links to DFM & Monash

What Skills Will I Learn?

• Make high level, independent judgements in the forensic setting
• Become an expert clinical forensic practitioners
• Gain expert knowledge of medico-legal principles
• Develop the skills to clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system
• Learn to interpret wounds and injury patterns
• Critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice

Forensic Mortuary

emergency management including community fatality management
mortuary design and operations
mortuary management and administration
mortuary quality management
mortuary occupational health and safety
mortuary aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Odontology

craniofacial injury
craniofacial superimposition
dental trauma
comparative dental characteristics
human identification
bite mark analysis
review of community dental services
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Anthropology

identification of human remains
skeletal injury investigations
post-mortem changes to the human body
the investigation of clandestine graves
the investigation of mass graves
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification

Forensic Radiology

the conduct of clinical radiology investigations and procedures
forensic interpretation of clinical radiological studies
interpretation of post-mortem radiographic examinations
mortuary radiology design and operations including imaging protocols
forensic radiology equipment specifications
mortuary radiology management and administration
post-mortem radiology quality control including audit
occupational health and safety for mortuary-based radiology services
radiological imaging in disaster management and disaster victim identification.

Forensic Toxicology

testing for illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drugs
interpretation of illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drug levels
human pharmacology
post-mortem drug level interpretation
pharmacokinetics
toxicology laboratory design, management and operations
laboratory quality systems.

Forensic Pathology

injury interpretation
cause of death
reconstruction of events around death in circumstances of homicide or suspicious deaths
advice in civil matters relating to workplace disease, death and injury
medical aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Clinical Forensic Medicine

injury interpretation
electrical death and injury investigations
adult and child physical and sexual assault
clinical pharmacology (alcohol, drugs and driving skills)
custodial medicine
medico-legal issues in hospital medicine, general practice and emergency medicine
traffic medicine including fitness to drive.

Microbiology

The investigation of diseases caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Immunopathology

The investigation of allergic reactions and autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and thyroid conditions.

Haematology

The investigation of diseases that affect the blood such as anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, clotting or bleeding disorders as well as management of blood transfusions.

Chemical Pathology

The analysis and interpretation of abnormal changes in chemicals found in blood and body fluids (such as electrolytes, enzymes and proteins).

Genetics

The analysis of chromosomes and DNA to diagnose genetic diseases and to assist in the identification of individuals and their families.

Anatomical Pathology

The examination of organs and tissues for features of disease and responses to injury.

Genetic genealogy and Victoria’s unknown human remains

In collaboration with totheletter DNA and the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, the VIFM is undertaking a pilot project to evaluate a genetic genealogy approach to identifying a small number of coronial cases where conventional DNA analysis has not provided results. A detailed DNA profile from the unidentified body will be uploaded into a genealogy website, such as GEDmatch, and any kinship matches to DNA profiles provided by other GEDmatch participants are analysed by a genealogist to attempt to identify a common ancestor and relationships to immediate family members. This technology has been used successfully in the USA to identify alleged offenders, missing persons and the biological parents of adoptees.

The Location of Missing Persons

The VIFM is directing a research project at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) in Western Sydney. The project will identify techniques or methods that can assist in the location of mass graves in different environments. The detection of clandestine graves in heavily vegetated areas, where conventional satellite imagery is of no use, is challenging. For the first time in the Southern hemisphere real bodies from body donation programs have been used to create a series of mock mass graves. Baseline environmental data has been collected to monitor and study the effects of decomposition with a limited range of detection techniques over a three year period. Initial results are promising.

CT database and Machine learning

The VIFM is researching the development of techniques to predict what the face would look like for an unidentified skull using CT scans with machine learning software. This software could potentially be combined with the use of the VIFM’s new Massive Parallel Sequencer (hair colour, eye colour, skin tone) to provide more realistic reconstruction of faces of unidentified remains.

The use of bomb pulse dating to determine year of birth and death

Working towards improving the investigation of unidentified human remains in an Australian context: The VIFM is assessing the accuracy of bomb pulse dating for estimating year of birth and death in decomposed or skeletonised remains. The atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and early 1960s produced large amounts of radiocarbon. Different biological tissues (bone, tooth, hair and nail) will be tested at the Australian National University by comparing environmental levels of Carbon-14 (14C) to 14C levels within these tissues to estimate the year of tissue formation.

Facial recognition of the deceased

The VIFM is working with Defence and Science Technology (DST) in the Commonwealth Department of Defence to determine the ability of automated facial recognition system to identify and verify deceased individuals. DST has expertise in developing and testing facial recognition software. This will be the first project to assess its ability to match the image of a deceased person with an ante-mortem photo of that individual. If successful, this type of software may be used in DVI responses involving large numbers of deceased.

Career Information Afternoons for Secondary School Students

As it is not possible for VIFM to offer work experience to students due to the sensitive nature of our work, secondary school students in years 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to attend a Career Information afternoon. These sessions are designed to offer an insight into the various career options available and are held twice a year during the April and September school holidays.

Specialist staff from VIFM, Victoria Police and the Coroners Court will talk to students about what it’s like to work in their chosen fields and what path they took to get where they are today. Students wishing to attend MUST complete the registration as numbers are limited. Please check back here closer to April or September for the sign-up link. If your query is not answered in this section, please contact the HR & OD team via email at jobs@vifm.org

If you are unable to attend a session, or would like more information about what we do, please view our web series which is due out in 2019.

Health Law and Ageing Research Unit

The Health Law and Ageing Research Unit is a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim with assistance from Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja.

The unit is focused on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Research in this area uses existing information from medico-legal death investigations of older people, and applies the results to identify opportunities for improvement, and to inform changes and optimal practice through the development of new resources, policies, procedures and protocols for aged care and health professionals.

Specific research projects of this unit include:

Preventable deaths in aged care research – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013. This project involves analysis of deaths from choking on food, complications of clinical care, asphyxia due to physical restraints and suicide. There are seven separate studies in this project.
Dignity of Risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia. Topics being explored include limitations of clinical care and the right to take a risk that improves quality of life.
Nature of Coroners’ recommendations following health care related deaths – the focus of this project is on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – this project investigates sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes and will be completed in collaboration with the VIFM’s Clinical Forensic Medicine service.
Publication of educational material through the VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué.

Gambia

In December of 2017, the National Assembly of The Gambia passed a bill establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which aims to “investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the nature, causes and extent of violations and abuses of human rights in the period from July 1994 to January 2017”. Part of the work of the TRRC is to “establish and make known the fate or whereabouts of disappeared victims” (TRRC Act 2017, page 9). Location and identification of the missing is therefore essential.

Associate Professor Soren Blau spent 8 days in Gambia working with TRRC investigators and commissioners providing forensic advice for specific cases. While exhumation has been a common activity of many truth commissions, the implementation of exhumation is the first endeavour of this kind for the TRRC in The Gambia.

Melbourne

The VIFM receives regular visits by international forensic medical delegations and also hosts training placements by international forensic doctors and scientists.

International Centre in Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing

The International Centre for Geriatric Forensic Medicine and Nursing is a world leader in empirical and translational research, education and public policy in all the medico-legal aspects of ageing. The Centre’s human resource capacity includes recognised experts from Victoria, nationally throughout Australia and internationally from USA, Canada, UK, NZ and other countries in the fields of aged care, health law and public policy.

Our purpose is to develop and conduct research, education, training and clinical engagement, and to promote policy reforms that protects the rights and choices of older people, as well as addressing elder abuse and preventable harm from injury including health care.

The centre is committed to serving the public interest nationally and internationally by promoting and integrating the fields of health, aged care, medicine, law and forensic science into practice. The Centre is led by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with clinical and operational expertise from Dr David Ranson and Dr Nicola Cunningham.

Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit

The Violence Investigation, Research and Training Unit (VIRTU) comprises co-leadership by our clinical and research staff, Dr Maaike Moller, Clinical Forensic Medicine and Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja, Department of Forensic Medicine. Associate Professor Richard Bassed is the sponsor of the unit and a research contributor.

The purpose of VIRTU is to conduct research and training activities that enhance the medico-legal investigation of self-directed and interpersonal violence. By optimising the medico-legal investigation of violence it is intended that public health and legal outcomes can be improved.

VIRTU was established in 2018 with the initial projects including:

Training for Victoria Police’s Centre for Family Violence – Foundation Program.
Development of an enhanced family violence dataset for clinical forensic assessments of abuse, sexual assault and fitness for interview.
Research on the risk profiles for victims and perpetrators of family violence examined by Clinical Forensic Physicians.
Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) grant to support research into breaking patterns of violence to prevent family homicide. This project aims to quantify the relationship and interdependencies between risk factors and service utilisation among family homicide victims and offenders. These will be identified from an analysis of criminal justice and Coroners’ data on family homicide using Bayesian networks. This innovative approach will produce a model to predict the probability of a lethal outcome, and enable resources to be targeted for interventions to parties identified as high risk prior to escalation that could lead to death.

Current Vacancies

All vacancies are placed on the Careers Gov website. Resumes and job applications can only be accepted in response to a specific vacancy that is advertised via www.careers.vic.gov.au.

For specific queries relating to vacant positions, please contact the Position Contact listed in each advertisement. Please do not submit your resume “just in case”.

However, you can register to be sent e-mail alerts from VIFM jobs via www.careers.vic.gov.au as soon as jobs that match your requirements are advertised. Go to the Current Vacancies on the website and click on Register to set up an account.

Entry Requirements?

Entry requirements are specific to each of the streams offered
Academic qualifications include; Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Hons), Bachelor of Radiography & Medical Imaging (Hons)
All students must have professional experience and current employment within their field.
All students must hold current professional registration with the relevant agency, EG AHPRA
English requirements, IELTS: 7 overall (no band lower than 6.5)

TOEFL Paper-based test: 600 with a TWE of 5.0

TOEFL Internet-based test; score of 100 overall with minimum scores: Writing – 24, Listening – 20, Reading – 20 & Speaking – 20.

For further detail please click here

Kiribati

The VIFM provided training for local authorities on Management of the Dead in disasters at the request of the WHO.

Philippines

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 to provide advice to the WHO on Management of the Dead. The VIFM delivered training in management of the Dead in disasters for police first responders in Manila in 2018.

Sri Lanka

The VIFM has also delivered forensic medical training in Sri Lanka and provided advice on mortuary planning and management.

Japan

Professor Stephen Cordner deployed to Japan for the ICRC following the 2014 to provide advice on management of the dead.

Nepal

Stephen Cordner and VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau deployed to Kathmandu in 2015 for the ICRC in the aftermath of the earthquake to provide advice on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) infrastructure and response.

Afghanistan

Professor Stephen Cordner delivered intensive training in Forensic Medicine for Afghani doctors in Kabul in August 2015 for the ICRC.

Forensic Molecular Biology (DNA)

The molecular biology staff of the Forensic Services Division can provide scientific expert opinions across a range of fields relating to DNA analysis and interpretation including: testing of new or historic samples and the interpretation of the test results from other laboratories.

Crime Scene Assessment

There is considerable amount of information that can be gathered from a crime scene. The correlation of the appearances of a death scene with the findings on the body may be of crucial significance in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death.

The scope of examination at the scene of death depends on the circumstances, but in most cases, important forensic information can be gathered from:

position of the body
rigor mortis (stiffening of the body sometime after death)
post-mortem hypostatic lividity (discoloration of the skin)
temperature of the body and its environment
insects
medication or other medical information
wounds
possible weapons

In some cases it may be possible for a forensic practitioner, on examining a body at the scene of a suspicious death, to raise the possibility that the death is the result of a natural disease process. The provision of timely information from the VIFM practitioners to investigators may assist in focusing the police investigation. Where a potentially suspicious death can be quickly identified to be due to natural disease, unnecessary criminal investigations can be avoided, preventing the waste of valuable police resources.

How the VIFM Forensic Experts and Victoria Police Work Together at a Crime Scene

When a death occurs in circumstance suggestive of a possible crime the death scene is examined by a team of individuals that comprises police officers, forensic scientists, forensic pathologists and other specialist examiners such as forensic anthropologists or entomologists. Other specialists may also be involved in the examination of a scene of a suspicious death including surveyors, photographers and video-camera operators.

The case investigation process begins with the analysis of information relating to the deceased person prior to death, together with an analysis of the scene, and the environment in which the person died or was found dead. Investigators from the VIFM include details of their crime scene investigation in their medico-legal reports as it is usually relevant to the interpretation of their medical or scientific findings. The police crime scene examiners or forensic scientists complete the overall examination of a crime scene, and deal with the matters not directly related to the body.

Drug Intelligence

Led by forensic toxicologist, Dr Jennifer Pilgrim, the drug intelligence research unit specialises in the investigation of the harmful outcomes of licit and illicit drug use on the community. Utilising a multidisciplinary approach combining forensic toxicology, public health and injury epidemiology has led directly to changes in Australian public health policy. The unit continues to be a research leader in this field with a focus on death prevention and safer drug use.

Family violence – development of a clinical forensic medicine family violence database.
Prescription drug misuse – examination of the nature and extent of this issue.
Opioid addiction and harms – investigation of the harms related to all forms of opioids.
Alcohol related suicide –research into preventative pharmacotherapy for alcohol related suicide, collaboration with the University of Sydney.
Drug-caused death in vulnerable populations – focusing on Australian sub-populations that demonstrate vulnerability to drug misuse and toxic fatality.
Drug facilitated sexual assault and violent offending – examination of the bio-psychosocial factors of drug-facilitated sexual assault and violent offending.
The Toxicologist database – multinational collaboration with Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, developing the world’s first international reference for toxic concentrations of drugs.
The global health challenge of drug misuse and abuse – a global study examining issues related to drug misuse, including drug policy, drug education, detection and awareness.

Injury Prevention - Unintentional

Led by Professor Ozane Smith, the unintentional injury prevention unit focuses on consumer product safety and injury prevention in low and middle income countries. This research unit has contributed to World Health Organisation initiatives, such as the Global Report of Drowning.

Ladder injury – Ladder Falls Prevention; a resource for home ladder users.
Cigarette-related fatal fires – evaluating the effectiveness of the Australian mandatory standard for reduced fire risk cigarettes in decreasing fatal fires.
Drowning prevention – focusing on potential for synergy between safe drinking water programs and drowning prevention. Formed part of a WHO report and international conference.
Deaths in custody – examination of indigenous deaths in custody and within 12 months of release. Collaboration with Griffith University.

Injury Prevention - Intentional

Managed by the Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, the intentional injury prevention unit is a multi-disciplinary team combining expertise in public health, forensic investigation, health care, aged care and law. The unit is headed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim, with assistance from Dr Lyndal Bugeja, and focuses on delivering a reduction of injury and premature deaths, the promotion of respect for older persons’ choices, and developing the workforce providing aged care services.

Preventable deaths in aged care – examines the nature and extent of injury-related deaths amongst residents of Residential Aged Care Services (nursing homes) in Australia 2000-2013.
Dignity of risk research – examines an older person’s rights in decision making, especially for those with dementia.
Nature of Coroners recommendations following health care related deaths – focusing on developing recommendations to influence health and law practice nationally.
Elder abuse and neglect – investigating sexual assault in older people and assaults in nursing homes.
VIFM Residential Aged Care Communiqué and Clinical Communiqué – quarterly publication of educational material.

Forensic Odontology

Graduate as an authority on the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in the justice system
Focuses on human identification (including mass fatality victim identification), bite mark analysis, craniofacial trauma analysis, age estimation (of both the living and the deceased), child abuse, and dental malpractice.
Gain formal qualification as a forensic dentist

Download Forensic Odontology Course Stream PDF

Clinical Forensic Medicine

Explore and master the intersection of medical practice and the law
Specialises in sexual assault, physical assault, traffic medicine & custodial medicine
Gain formal qualification as a clinical forensic expert

Download the Clinical Forensic Medicine Course Stream PDF

Forensic Medical Science

Become expert in recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence
Disciplines include anthropology, forensic toxicology, mortuary technical science, forensic imaging and the application of molecular biology
Gain formal qualification as a forensic scientist

Download Forensic Medical Science Course Stream PDF

Malaysia

The VIFM developed a training curriculum on the Management of the Dead in disasters for ASEAN Police First Responders. The first workshop was delivered to the Malaysian National Police in July 2017 and a second workshop was delivered in the Philippines in November 2018.

India

Professor Stephen Cordner participated in the inaugural International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics in Gujarat, India.

South Africa

The VIFM Forensic Technical Services and CAE Manager, Dr Jodie Leditschke was invited by the ICRC to be a lecturer in the training program for forensic doctors, disaster managers and government representatives from Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Libya and South Africa.

Canada

At the International Association of Forensic Sciences Meeting in Ontario in 2017, the VIFM hosted a day-long APMLA workshop on the Forensic Response to Mass Disasters and Terrorist Attacks in the Asia Pacific Region.

Sydney

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) commissioned the VIFM in May 2018 to undertake a review to improve the practice and response of its member organisations in the prevention of sexual misconduct.

Cook Islands

The VIFM forensic pathologists and technicians visited Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in 2016 to undertake forensic autopsies at the request of the Ministry of Justice.

Netherlands

Identification of victims of MH17 – need details

Thailand

Tsunami – need details

Ukraine

VIFM forensic anthropologist, Dr Soren Blau was deployed to the Ukraine in March 2016 for four weeks. Dr Blau undertook an assessment of the main mortuary in Donetsk and training requirements for dead body management in conflict settings, the examination of remains and ante and post-mortem data management.

Liberia

Forensic pathologists, Professor Stephen Corner and Dr Heinrich Bouwer undertook separate deployments to Liberia in August and September 2014 for the ICRC to provide advice on dead body management in the Ebola crisis.

Geneva

Associate Professor David Wells was the lead author for a WHO publication that provides guidelines for the Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations.

Professor Stephen Cordner, in consultation with the ICRC Forensic Advisory Board and others, edited the 2017 update of the WHO/ICRC’s The Management of Dead Bodies Following Disasters: A field manual for first responders. This was launched in Geneva in 2016.

Samoa

In December 2014, the VIFM completed a two year project for institutional strengthening of Samoa’s infrastructure for the medico-legal investigation of and care for adult and child victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

Palestine

Professor Stephen Cordner and Associate Professor David Wells were commissioned by the UNODC to undertake forensic medical capacity development planning and resource development for the State of Palestine. This work has included the development of an autopsy manual and the training of forensic medical staff in Palestine.

Specialist Recognition

Recognised by Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Master of Forensic Medicine is the recommended first step for specialist pathways
Enhance your standing as a clinic forensic expert

Outcomes

Integrate an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and cognitive skills to demonstrate safe practice in your field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science.
exercise initiative and expert judgement in the field of forensic medicine , dentistry or science practice
appropriately interpret and incorporate medico-legal principles to the practice of a specific field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science
provide advanced analytical skills in the application of a specific field of forensic services in the community
evaluate current research and critically apply the results to the practice of forensic medicine for the benefit of the community
conduct independent research to further enhance the practice of forensic medicine
work and communicate effectively as a service provider in the field of forensic medicine.

Coursework

The course is structured in 2 parts. Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations and Part B – Advanced expertise
Part A – Forensic medical and scientific foundations: develop your understanding and skills in 3 key areas- medical evidence / forensic science & ethics / medicine & the law
Part B – Advanced expertise: learn specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of forensic medicine applicable to your skills
Master of Forensic Medicine is predominantly an online course, you will be expected to effectively manage your study load
There is a 2 day face to face requirement for each unit, these days are held at VIFM in Southbank, Melbourne
Links to DFM & Monash

What Skills Will I Learn?

• Make high level, independent judgements in the forensic setting
• Become an expert clinical forensic practitioners
• Gain expert knowledge of medico-legal principles
• Develop the skills to clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system
• Learn to interpret wounds and injury patterns
• Critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice

Forensic Mortuary

emergency management including community fatality management
mortuary design and operations
mortuary management and administration
mortuary quality management
mortuary occupational health and safety
mortuary aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Odontology

craniofacial injury
craniofacial superimposition
dental trauma
comparative dental characteristics
human identification
bite mark analysis
review of community dental services
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Forensic Anthropology

identification of human remains
skeletal injury investigations
post-mortem changes to the human body
the investigation of clandestine graves
the investigation of mass graves
disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification

Forensic Radiology

the conduct of clinical radiology investigations and procedures
forensic interpretation of clinical radiological studies
interpretation of post-mortem radiographic examinations
mortuary radiology design and operations including imaging protocols
forensic radiology equipment specifications
mortuary radiology management and administration
post-mortem radiology quality control including audit
occupational health and safety for mortuary-based radiology services
radiological imaging in disaster management and disaster victim identification.

Forensic Toxicology

testing for illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drugs
interpretation of illicit, prescription and ‘over the counter’ drug levels
human pharmacology
post-mortem drug level interpretation
pharmacokinetics
toxicology laboratory design, management and operations
laboratory quality systems.

Forensic Pathology

injury interpretation
cause of death
reconstruction of events around death in circumstances of homicide or suspicious deaths
advice in civil matters relating to workplace disease, death and injury
medical aspects of disaster management and Disaster Victim Identification.

Clinical Forensic Medicine

injury interpretation
electrical death and injury investigations
adult and child physical and sexual assault
clinical pharmacology (alcohol, drugs and driving skills)
custodial medicine
medico-legal issues in hospital medicine, general practice and emergency medicine
traffic medicine including fitness to drive.

Microbiology

The investigation of diseases caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Immunopathology

The investigation of allergic reactions and autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and thyroid conditions.

Haematology

The investigation of diseases that affect the blood such as anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, clotting or bleeding disorders as well as management of blood transfusions.

Chemical Pathology

The analysis and interpretation of abnormal changes in chemicals found in blood and body fluids (such as electrolytes, enzymes and proteins).

Genetics

The analysis of chromosomes and DNA to diagnose genetic diseases and to assist in the identification of individuals and their families.

Anatomical Pathology

The examination of organs and tissues for features of disease and responses to injury.

Researcher Biographies

Postgraduate Students

About

Briohny Kennedy

Daye Gang

Eden Johnstone-Belford

Jeff Pope

Laura Anderson

Nathan Stam

Nicholas Dempsey

Reena Sarkar

Susan Chang

Phuong Hua