Casework/Research Report 2

Subject 511-864 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.000
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:

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.

Assessment: Students must submit a research report and a portfolio of forensic cases throughout the year.
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/dsweb/future_students/postgrad/grad_dip_fod.html

Download PDF version.