Master of Forensic Medicine

Course code: 3412 + Course abbreviation: MForensMed + Total credit points required: 72 + 6 semesters part-time

Study mode and course location

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

Course description

The broad aims of this course, offered by the Department of Forensic Medicine, are to assist in the establishment of academic standards in clinical forensic medical practice, produce graduates who have a sound knowledge of the medico-legal principles, and develop practitioners’ skills in providing clinical forensic services to the community.

Course objectives

On completion of the course it is expected that graduates will have: 1. developed proficiency in the provision of clinical forensic medical services; 2. obtained experience and the skills required to communicate medico-legal issues to the legal system; 3. acquired proficiency in the preparation of effective and objective medico-legal reports; 4. become aware of the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice and be able to critically evaluate and appreciate these matters; 5. learnt the skills required to interpret wounds and injury patterns with particular reference to causation.

Depending on the optional units taken students will also have: 1. acquired an enhanced knowledge in one or more of a range of important areas in forensic medicine; 2. become familiar with the Australian legal system, legal procedures, the rules of evidence and other law impacting on clinical forensic medical practices; 3. become proficient in the analytical skills and methods used in clinical forensic medicine; and 4. acquired an understanding of the principles of , and contemporary issues in, bioethics including autonomy, confidentiality and consent.

Students completing the programme by minor thesis will have: 1. demonstrated competence in their field by their approach, selection and application of methods to yield fruitful results; and 2. the capacity to critically evaluate their results and present them effectively.

Course structure

The masters program is offered in two streams.

(a) Coursework and minor thesis

The aim of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to extend their knowledge in forensic medicine through a structured program of coursework and to develop research skills in the area.

Minimum pass grade

Students must achieve an honours standard assessment in all three core units and at least one elective unit from the list of units offered by the Department of Forensic Medicine.

Core units

FOR1001 Medical evidence
FOR1002 Injury interpretation
FOR1003 Ethics, medicine and the law

Elective units

FOR2001 Traffic medicine
FOR2003 Custodial medicine
FOR2004 Elements of the forensic sciences
FOR2005 Adult sexual assault
FOR2006 Paediatric forensic medicine
FOR2007 Elements of forensic toxicology
FOR6008 Mentally disordered offenders
FOR6009 Psychiatry, law and criminal justice systems
FOR2010 Research project

Minor thesis

Students undertaking the minor thesis are required to prepare a research proposal at an early stage of their minor thesis enrolment and have this approved by their thesis supervisor. The area of research must cover a topic directly related to forensic medicine. The minor thesis attracts 24 points. Students may also select (with departmental approval) other graduate units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University or other tertiary institutions. At least one unit must include instruction on research methodologies and basis statistics.

(b) Coursework only

Students must complete 72 points of study comprised entirely of coursework units. Students must achieve honours standard assessment in all three core units (as outlined in option (a) above), with a further 16 points to be taken from the list of units offered by the Department of Forensic Medicine (as outlined in option (a) above). Students may also select (with departmental approval) other graduate units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University or other tertiary institutions. At least one unit must include instruction on research methodologies and basic statistics. Up to 12 points can be taken as a short project.

Assessment

Assessment methods will vary but will include coursework participation, formal assignments, casebooks and minor thesis.

Contact details

Ms Carole Spence, course administrator: telephone: +61 3 9684 4480; email: caroleb@vifm.org or visit www.vifm.org

Course coordinator

Associate Professor David Wells

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