LAW5110

Elements of forensic medicine 506

Professor P L Waller

6 points
* One 3-hour session per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisite: LAW3300; preferably students should have completed LAW5204 but will be admitted if currently enrolled for this subject.

Objectives Students completing this subject should have a comprehensive understanding, as law students, of forensic medicine, encompassing forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, forensic odontology, forensic psychiatry and forensic science. Students will be familiar with the organisation and operation of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Victorian Forensic Science Centre and the Coroner's Court. They will be aware of the challenges presented and the tensions which arise when expert evidence is tendered in the adversarial system of justice employed in Victoria and in Australia as a whole. Students will be able to carry out effective research accessing materials in data bases in the biomedical and scientific fields as well as in law.

Synopsis Medicine and science in the service of the law, including the organisation of the medical profession. Basic anatomy, physiology and biomedical forensic science. Structure and function of the Victorian Forensic Science Centre. Scientific evidence and its collection at the scene of a crime. Forensic chemistry and drug analysis. Forensic photography. Firearm examination and tool marks. Classification and medico-legal interpretation of injuries, and issues of causation in forensic pathology. Forensic odontology and the identification of victims, including major disasters. Traffic medicine; alcohol, drugs and driving. The examination of victims of assault especially sexual assault, both adults and children. DNA: basic structure and DNA profiling in Australia. The admissibility of DNA profiling in the courts. Prototypes of police investigation - homicide. Fingerprint evidence. The State Coroner's system, including inquests and the role of legal representation. Medico-legal reports in the courts, especially the criminal courts. Forensic psychiatry and issues of criminal responsibility.

Assessment Two 20-minute class tests: 10% each
* Written research paper (2500-3500 words): 30%
* Final examination (2 hours plus 30 minutes for reading and notes): 50%

Texts

Phillips J H and Bowen J K Forensic science and the expert witness rev. edn, Law Book, 1989