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Monash University: University handbooks: Postgraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Graduate Diploma in Forensic Pathology

Course code: 3444 + Course abbreviation: GradDipForensPath + Total credit points required: 48 + 4 semesters part-time

Study mode and course location

Multimode (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank)

Course description

This course is offered by the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). The VIFM provides forensic medical services to the Victorian Coroner. On completion of the course, students should have become proficient with standard autopsy techniques, be familiar with specialised autopsy and human identification techniques and ancillary examinations and testing. Participants will also develop an understanding of the legal and operational requirements and ethical underpinnings for forensic pathology practice, documentation procedures, communication to the justice system and other parties, death scene investigation processes and techniques, basic clinical forensic medical practice and forensic testing. The four compulsory units in second year will be taught with a strong emphasis on practical learning, with students undertaking a set number of autopsies under supervision. For this reason, enrolment is limited to four to six students per intake.

Entry requirements

This course is aimed at international students who already have full medical training and basic pathology training and/or experience and who are committed to pursuing a career in forensic pathology.

Course structure

The course is offered over two years. In the first year, three compulsory units are offered part-time by off-campus learning. In the second year, students will study on-campus at the Department of Forensic Medicine, which is housed at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) at Southbank. Students will be required to complete all the following core units for first and second year.

First-year

Core units
  • FPA5001 Ethical and legal issues in forensic pathology
  • FPA5002 Forensic science support for forensic pathology
  • FPA5003 Foundations of clinical forensic medicine

Second-year

Core units

Assessment

The nature and content of the course require a range of assessment methods to be used. The assessment methods include assignments, case studies, presentation, a casebook and oral presentations.

Contact details

Inquiries

Ms Alison Elliott
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Department of Forensic Medicine
Monash University
57-83 Kavanagh Street
Southbank, Victoria 3006
Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9684 4301

Email: alisone@vifm.org

Website: www.vifm.org

Course coordinator

Ms Helen McKelvie

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