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

On-Campus (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank – P/T only)

Off-campus (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank– P/T only)

* Not available to domestic students

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. The course is only offered to students from outside of Australia who have full medical training and basic pathology training and/or experience who are seeking to pursue a career in forensic pathology in their own country. 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.

Course objectives

On completion of this course students will be expected to have acquired relevant skills and understandings so as to be able to provide or effectively participate in forensic pathology services in their own country. This includes proficiency with standard autopsy techniques: 1. familiarity with specialised autopsy and human identification techniques and ancilliary examinations and testing; 2. an understanding of the legal and operational requirements and ethical underpinnings for the practice of forensic pathology; 3. proficiency with documentation of autopsies and clear communication of findings to the justice system and other parties; 4. an understanding of death scene investigation processes and techniques and competence in the forensic pathology aspects of these; 5. familiarity with basic clinical forensic medical practice, including examination techniques; and6. an understanding of how forensic science tests are conducted to underpin comprehension of the results and their applicability to the issues arising in forensic pathology practice. In addition, students will be expected to apply their knowledge and skills displaying the following attitudes and attributes: 1. Openness (especially in making judgements about the evidence before them); 2. Honesty and integrity (in order to engender the respect and trust necessary to be credible in court, and in other settings); and 3. Persistence and diligence (in applying knowledge and skills in a practical setting).

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 (off-campus) 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 (on-campus) units

FPA5004 Autopsy practice
FPA5005 Medical testimony
FPA5006 Interpreting injuries at autopsy
FPA5007 Death investigation

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

Ms Alison Elliott: telephone: +61 3 9684 4301; email: alisone@vifm.org or visit www.vifm.org

Course coordinator

Ms Helen McKelvie

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