Postgraduate - UnitFOR4010 - Disaster victim identification (DVI): principles and methods

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Offered	Southbank Second semester 2014 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Richard Bassed

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email postgrad.courses@vifm.org or phone 03 9684 4115.

Synopsis

Forensic Odontology encompasses the intersection between dentistry and the law. Practitioners in this field require a solid understanding of all aspects of dental practice as it relates to medico-legal investigation
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of all Phases of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process and the role the forensic odontologist plays in each Phase. It will provide the student with the capability of operating in both national and international response teams.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills required to:

Describe the core elements of Disaster Victim Identification principles and methods which underlie forensic odontology investigations following natural and man-made mass fatality incidents.
Discuss the role the forensic odontologist plays in each Phase of a DVI operation.
Describe and operate the common computer based systems used during a DVI operation.
Appraise the International protocols, standards, charting methods and the Interpol forms that are used during a DVI incident.
Recognise the various cultural, religious and legal frameworks in which international DVI incidents may occur.
Demonstrate the value of CT technology as it is employed in DVI scenarios.
Review the principals involved in medico-legal report writing as applied to DVI incidents.

Assessment

Case Study 40%
Oral Presentation 25%
Short Answer Assignments 35%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Richard Bassed

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Forensic medicine

Co-requisites

FOR4007 - Elements of Forensic Odontology
FOR4001 - Medical Evidence
FOR4002 - Injury Interpretation
FOR4003 - Ethics, Medicine and the Law

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

postgrad.courses@vifm.org