Afterlife is a web series that explores what goes on behind the doors at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Coroners Court of Victoria.
Join Meshel Laurie and Catherine McClements as they interview Melbourne’s real Silent Witness and meet some of Australia’s top forensic and legal experts, including forensic pathologists, anthropologists, toxicologists, odontologists, molecular biologists, physicians and coroners.
New Afterlife Episode Available
Vulnerable People in a Vulnerable System
Aged Care in Australia with Professor Joseph Ibrahim, Head of Health Law and Ageing, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University.
The first 24 hours of your death is the busiest day of your life. Join Catherine Mc Clements when she discovers what happens when someone dies unexpectedly, accidently or in suspicious circumstances.
Season 1 Episode 3
Episode 3: Fascinating Forensics
It’s not always like it is on TV but it’s still incredibly fascinating. Join Meshel Laurie as she meets some of Australia’s top forensic experts and learns about their amazing careers. You’ll hear from forensic pathologists, anthropologists, toxicologists, molecular biologists and entomologists, among many others.
Season 1 Episode 4
Episode 4: Why We’re Here Part One
Meshel Laurie and Catherine McClements will explain why the coronial system exists and how it serves the community. They’ll look at prevention measures that emanate from inquests and research, genetic disorders discovered that save the lives of others and information for the future.
Season 1 Episode 5
Episode 5: Why We’re Here Part Two
Meshel Laurie and Catherine McClements will explain why the coronial system exists and how it serves the community. They’ll look at prevention measures that emanate from inquests and research, genetic disorders discovered that save the lives of others and information for the future.
Season 1 Episode 7
Episode 7: Disaster Victim Identificatio
The team from the VIFM have helped out at far too many mass disasters in Australia and overseas. Members of the team have identified victims of Black Saturday, MH17, the Bali bombing, the Asian tsunami and wars in Kosovo and Iraq. Meshel Laurie finds out all about DVI.
Season 1 Episode 8
Episode 8: Tissue Donation: The Ultimate Gift
Did you know that the donated human tissue from one generous person can either save or enhance the lives of more than 30 others? Well it can. Meshel Laurie finds out what tissue we can donate after we die, how it is processed and what it can be used for. It’s amazing.
Season 1 Episode 9
Episode 9: Clinical Forensic Medicine
Forensic medicine impacts on the living and not just the deceased. Catherine McClements finds out what a forensic physician does and who they help, including victims of family violence and common assault. And what’s traffic medicine when it’s at home? We’ll find out.
Season 1 Episode 10 Part 1
Episode 10 Part 1: The Care of The Ageing
Professor Ibrahim discusses the underlying issues in the public and private aged care sector, the culture of reporting deaths and the options for residents.
“Aged care is not a free market luxury good where you choose what you want. It is a public necessity and essential service.”
Read The Royal Commission into Aged Care Interim Report Here
Season 1 Episode 10 Part 2
Episode 10 Part 2: We’re All Different
Professor Ibrahim discusses how different we all are, even in aged care, where it’s important to cater for different needs, tastes and preferences in health and lifestyle.
“You’ve got to be able to cater for the people who want to go sky diving, those who want to manage their arthritis and diabetes and those who need palliative care.”
Read The Royal Commission into Aged Care Interim Report Here
Season 1 Episode 10 Part 3
Episode 10 Part 3: Is Death A Foregone Conclusion?
Professor Ibrahim discusses how deaths in aged care can be prevented and how the assumption that when you get to your 70s it’s OK to die. It’s not OK to die if death could have been prevented.
“Families, nursing homes and doctors generally don’t want to report deaths because they think the person has suffered enough and there’s nothing to be gained by investigating the death of a 95 year old but they’re wrong. We know so little.”
Read The Royal Commission into Aged Care Interim Report Here
Season 1 Episode 10 Part 4
Episode 10 Part 4: How The Dead Help the Living
Professor Ibrahim tells us that Australia is one of the few places in the world where we use the data from coronial cases to help the living. Every death teaches us something.
“This information means we can open the debate around preventable death.”
Read The Royal Commission into Aged Care Interim Report Here
Season 1 Episode 10 Part 5
Episode 10 Part 5: If Only They’d Listened
Professor Ibrahim discusses how families often know more than the professionals. And professionals should listen to families more often. Good intentions don’t always lead to good results.
“I knew something was wrong and it was. The doctor said everything was fine and it wasn’t.”
Read The Royal Commission into Aged Care Interim Report Here