Course overview
This course covers areas such as: history and role of forensic odontology in community dentistry, legal systems and role and jurisdiction of Courts of Law, the coronial system and practice of the Coroner's Office, expert evidence, methods of investigation of civil and criminal matters, relationship of police to forensic odontology, preservation and recovery of dental evidence from scenes, principles and techniques of video and computer imaging in cranio-facial superimposition, age estimation techniques, procedures for investigation of bite-marks and the principles of disaster victim identification.
Course learning outcomes
- Adopt and employ professional attitudes and standards/values by displaying the highest levels of integrity in all aspects of professional life.
- Use highly effective interpersonal skills to enable empathetic and effective communication with a range of audiences.
- Provide forensic odontology services of the highest quality in a contemporary, ethical and legal environment and apply a broad understanding of social, political and cultural perspectives to inform quality practice.
- Be committed to take a leadership role in actively promoting the importance of forensic odontology in dental, judicial, and community settings with emphasis on world best practice standards.
- Effectively seek, analyse and evaluate data, materials and technology, as well as to produce expert opinions relating to the scope of forensic odontology.
- Be committed to furthering the scientific base of knowledge in the specialised area of forensic odontology and to disseminate this knowledge to the dental, allied professions and the scientific community.
- Effectively join or lead a national or international forensic odontology team in Disaster Victim Identification by working effectively with other odontology personnel and with allied professional teams. Utilise information technology.
- Engage in self-directed, life-long learning by using reflection and critical self-assessment to inform evidence-based practice and by undertaking continuing professional development.