Casework/Research Report 2 (DENT90042)

This subject is undertaken by students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology. This is the second of two casework/research subjects.

This is a complementary applied practical subject, where pertinent scientific techniques and laboratory procedures are demonstrated and taught. During this subject numerous visits to appropriate subsidiary teaching venues will take place. This subject is to be co-ordinated as closely as practicable with the corresponding theory units of the course.

As the casework undertaken is unpredictable and sporadic, students are expected to be available at short notice, day or night, during the intensive periods in order to gain appropriate experience required to pass this subject.

International students have the option of remaining in Melbourne for the duration of the course where the facilities (research laboratories, library, etc) of the University are available to them, or they may wish to return to their home country, provided the local facilities for research and experience in casework are sufficient. It is anticipated that a substantial amount of directed and supervised reading and written essays will be undertaken by students in the location of their permanent homes or places of work.

The practical sessions in this subject involve the following aspects:

1. Field-kit.

2. Impression taking from persons both living, dead and objects and foodstuffs. Model making. Marking of dentures.

3. Photography/Facial Scanning.

4. Radiography.

5. Charting methods.

6. Bite marks.

7. Preparation of histological material. Hard and soft tissues.

8. Applications of electron microscopes.

9. Embalming.

10. The medico-legal autopsy.

11. Mock mass disaster.

12. X-ray diffraction/Microradiography and other physical methods of study.

13. Radiology, osteology, comparative anatomy.

14. Mock Court - presentation of evidence.

15. Superimposition techniques.

16. Class presentations of the student's own research or coursework.

17. Digital image processing of radiographs and photographs.

The research aspects of this subject involve each student completing a research project and conducting casework throughout the year. Students' research projects may be undertaken in either of the principal teaching venues (School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne and/or the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine). However, because of the distances from which it is anticipated that students will come to attend the course, it may be necessary to approve research projects that may be undertaken elsewhere provided that supervision requirements can be shown to be adequate for the student.