Forensic Odontology 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

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

This subject is taken by students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology.

The formal teaching is given in one intensive teaching periods of 4 or 5 weeks duration. This compression of teaching is intended to assist and encourage interstate and overseas participants. The subject covers basic dental science and forensic medicine and pathology.

The subject's two major components are:

A. Basic Dental Science Unit

1. Embryology of human cranio-facial structures.

2. Anatomy of human cranio-facial structures.

3. Dental embryology.

4. Human tooth morphology.

5. Physical anthropology. Racial traits.

6. Comparative dental anatomy.

7. Dental histology.

8. Age changes to teeth and jaws.

9. Physical methods of study, eg. fundamentals of optics and the utilization of the electro-magnetic spectrum.

10. Data collection, storage, transmission and retrieval.

B. Forensic Medicine and Pathology Unit

1. History of Forensic Odontology.

2. Hazards of the mortuary and scene of crime.

3. The medico-legal autopsy and post-mortem changes.

4. Bite marks and other wounds to the external surface of the bodies of the living and deceased.

5. Identification using Molecular Biology DNA 'fingerprinting'.

6. Non-biological methods of identification.

7. Recording methods and preparation of reports.

8. Soft tissue injuries (the differential diagnosis of the causative agent).

9. Assessment and recording of cranio-facial injuries.

10. Field-kit.

11. Disaster victim identification (DVI).

12. Exhumation.

13. Forensic photography non-contact 3D measurement.

14. Forensic psychology/psychiatry - offender profiling.

Students are required to:

(i) Sit two written examinations each of one and a half hours duration at the end of the semester. Each paper to be devoted to one of the units (basic dental science and forensic medicine and pathology).

(ii) Take one oral examination of 45 minutes duration upon completion of the semester.

(iii) Submit two essays of approximately 3,000 words each, for each of the subject's units. The subjects and titles will be set at the beginning of each semester. This may take the form of critical reviews of the relevant literature.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.