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Requisite map

Overview

In this course, you will gain advanced expertise and specialised knowledge enabling you to become highly sought after in the forensic medical, dental or science fields. Building on your qualification in medicine, dentistry, biomedical science or radiography, you will be able to apply your knowledge in the interests of justice and will learn to make high level, independent judgements in the forensic setting, gain sound knowledge of medico-legal principles, gain the skills to clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system, prepare effective and objective medico-legal reports, critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice, and interpret wounds and injury patterns. You will develop a range of skills to equip you with the necessary attributes to work in the fields of forensic medicine, dentistry, or science within the parameters of the justice system.

SPECIALISATIONS

Clinical forensic medicine
Clinical forensic medicine has evolved into an increasingly specialised area within the wider field of forensic medical practice. Clinical forensic medicine encompasses a wide range of activities at the interface of medical practice and the law. The range of medico-legal services overlap with many other medical specialty areas; paediatrics, gynaecology, clinical toxicology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, dentistry and forensic pathology. However, the discipline of clinical forensic medicine has become the home of the special issues inherent in child and adult sexual/physical assault, traffic medicine and custodial medicine. The above services are provided by clinicians working either exclusively in the field of clinical forensic medicine, or in the other medical specialties including general practice. Increasingly, the courts (and other 'users' of clinical forensic expertise) scrutinise the knowledge and background of practitioners providing expert reports, and have a rising expectation of practitioners possessing formal qualifications in this field.

Forensic medical science
Forensic medical science encompasses a number of disciplines including forensic toxicology and pharmacology, mortuary technical science, forensic imaging, forensic aspects of molecular biology, and forensic aspects of nursing practice.

This field is focused on the recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence, the results of which will apply to a variety of case types, both for living and deceased individuals. In addition to the laboratory aspects of their work, forensic medical scientists require a sound understanding of forensic pathology and death investigation as the majority of work is conducted in a coronial environment.

Forensic medical science increasingly involves an understanding of advanced imaging modalities, such as CT, and an appreciation of the capabilities of fields such as forensic anthropology, molecular biology, and most especially clinical forensic medicine, forensic pathology and death investigation systems and protocols. The increasing demand for rigorously tested and analysed forensic evidence in the medico-legal environment means that practitioners now require higher level specialist tertiary qualifications.

Forensic odontology
Forensic odontology can be defined as the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence which will then be presented in the interest of justice. Forensic odontology is concerned with a wide range of activities at the interface of dental practice and the law such as human identification (including mass fatality victim identification), bite mark analysis, craniofacial trauma analysis, age estimation (of both the living and the deceased), child abuse, and dental malpractice. Forensic odontology expertise is utilised across the medico-legal spectrum where practitioners work closely with forensic pathologists, clinical forensic medical practitioners, forensic anthropologists, and forensic scientists. Forensic odontology is an integral part of the medico-legal process and practitioners now require formal qualifications and ongoing training in order to satisfy the evidence-based needs of the courts and the justice system.

Course structure

Part A. Forensic medical and scientific foundations18 credit points

You must complete the following units

Part B. Forensic medicine, dentistry and science advanced expertise54 credit points

You must complete a research or coursework stream

Research stream

54 credit points

You must complete the following units as well as 18 credit points from any of the coursework streams

Coursework stream

54 credit points

You must complete 54 credit points from one of the steams below. Note: Due to unit prerequisites some units are only available to medical practitioners and others only to dental practitioners.

Clinical forensic medical

54 credit points

Core units

30 credit points

You must complete the following units

Clinical forensic medical electives

24 credit points

You must complete 24 credit points from the following or any units from the Forensic medical science stream below, other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval).

Forensic medical science

54 credit points

Core

24 credit points

You must complete the following units

Forensic medical science electives

30 credit points

You must complete 30 credit points from the following or any units from the Forensic medical science stream below, other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval).

Forensic odontology

54 credit points

Core

36 credit points

You must complete the following units

Forensic odontology electives

18 credit points

You must complete 18 credit points from the following or any units from the Forensic medical science stream below, other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval).

The handbook's description of this structure

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Forensic medical and scientific foundations, and Part B. Advanced expertise.

Part A. Forensic medical and scientific foundations

These studies will enable you to develop an understanding and the skills of four key areas required for high quality forensic medical and scientific service and will apply to medical practitioners, dentists and biomedical medical scientists and radiographers: medical evidence, injury interpretation, elements of forensic science and ethics, medicine and the law.

In particular, you will gain practical skills and knowledge of the legal and procedural rules and administrative arrangements for the presentation of evidence to courts and tribunals within the justice system. You will also learn about the interpretation of injuries, including the pathophysiology of injuries and injury classification and documentation. You will become familiar with the tools and vocabulary of ethical discourse in forensic medicine and science. You will learn how the broader forensic science disciplines interact with your own area in the performance of case work, including rules of evidence collection and preservation and chain of custody for forensic samples.

Part B. Forensic medicine, dentistry and science advanced expertise

In these studies you will complete either a program of coursework or a research project.

The studies enable you to develop specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of forensic medicine that suit your interests, skills and career goals. You will gain in-depth knowledge of a range of key areas within either forensic medicine, forensic dentistry or forensic science. Depending on your interests and motivation, you have the option to apply and consolidate the knowledge and professional skills gained by completing a supervised research project.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 72 points structured into two parts: Part A. Forensic medical and scientific foundation (18 points), and Part B. Forensic medicine, dentistry and science advanced expertise (54 points).

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Forensic medical and scientific foundations (18 points)

You must complete:

FOR4001 Medical evidence
FOR4003 Ethics, medicine and law
FOR4004 Elements of the forensic science

Part B. Forensic medicine, dentistry and science advanced expertise (54 points)

You must complete a. or b. below.

a. Research stream

MAP5000 Research in advanced health professional practice (12points)
MAP5001 Advanced health practice research project (12points)
MAP5002 Minor thesis (12 points)
elective units (18 points) chosen from the list of units for any specialisation below

b. Coursework stream

54 points of electives chosen from the elective list below

Note: Due to unit prerequisites some units are only available to medical practitioners and others only to dental practitioners.

Clinical forensic medical

You must complete:

FOR4002 Injury interpretation
FOR5012 Child and adolescent sexual abuse
FOR5013 Non accidental injury in childhood
FOR5005 Adult sexual assault
FOR5008 Custodial medicine

plus 24 points of elective studies chosen from:

FOR5014 Elements of forensic odontology
FOR5016 Clinical forensic odontology
FOR5018 Elements of forensic anthropology
FOR5006 Traffic medicine
FOR5007 Elements of forensic toxicology
FOR5009 Advanced issues in sexual violence
FOR5011 Advanced issues in non-accidental injury of children
FORxxxx Elements of forensic pathology
FOR5020 Post mortem CT imaging
FOR5022 Advanced methods in forensic science: Emerging trends and issues
FOR5010 Project in forensic medicine
any units from the medical scientist specialist studies below
other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval). Suitable Monash units can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool in the current edition of the Handbook.

Forensic odontology

You must complete:

FOR4002 Injury interpretation
FOR5014 Elements of forensic odontology
FOR5015 Post-mortem dental identification - Principles and methods
FOR5016 Clinical forensic odontology
FOR5017 Disaster victim identification (DVI) - Principles and methods
FOR5018 Elements of forensic anthropology

plus 18 points of elective studies chosen from:

FOR5013 Non accidental injury in childhood
FOR5007 Elements of forensic toxicology
FPA5007 Death Investigation
FORxxxx Elements of forensic pathology
FOR5020 Post mortem CT imaging
FOR5022 Advanced methods in forensic science: Emerging trends and issues
FOR5010 Project in forensic medicine
any units from the Forensic medical science specialist studies below
other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval). Suitable Monash units can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool in the current edition of the Handbook.

Forensic medical science

You must complete:

FOR5007 Elements of forensic toxicology
FOR5021 Mortuary technical science
FORxxxx Elements of forensic pathology
FOR5023 Quality management in the forensic sciences

plus 30 points of elective studies chosen from:

FOR4002 Injury interpetation
FPA5007 Death investigation
FOR5011 Elements of forensic anthropology
FOR5025 Forensic pharmacology
FORxxxx Advanced mortuary technical science
FOR5020 Post mortem CT imaging
FOR5022 Advanced methods in forensic science: emerging trends and issues
FOR5010 Project in forensic medicine
FPA5004 Autopsy practice
other level 5 units offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, other faculties at Monash University, or other tertiary institutions (with departmental approval). Suitable Monash units can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool in the current edition of the Handbook.

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1
integrate an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and cognitive skills to demonstrate safe practice in their field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science
2
exercise initiative and expert judgement in the field of forensic medicine , dentistry or science practice
3
appropriately interpret and incorporate medico-legal principles to the practice of a specific field of forensic medicine, dentistry or science
4
provide advanced analytical skills in the application of a specific field of forensic services in the community
5
evaluate current research and critically apply the results to the practice of forensic medicine for the benefit of the community
6
conduct independent research to further and enhance the practice of forensic medicine
7
work and communicate effectively as a service provider in the field of forensic medicine.

Entry requirements

English language

Above Monash minimum: Level C, that is: IELTS: 7 overall (no band lower than 6.5); or TOEFL Paper-based test: 587 with a TWE of 4.5; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 94 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 24, Listening: 20, Reading: 19 and Speaking: 20; or Equivalent approved English test

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree if you are completing the research stream.

Notes for students

This course is not available to international students who are holders of an Australian student visa, for study onshore in Australia. However holders of some other categories of Australian visas living in Australia, and students studying off-campus by distance learning (where this option is available) and living outside of Australia, may be eligible for this course.

Other information

In this course, you will gain advanced expertise and specialised knowledge enabling you to become highly sought after in the forensic medical, dental or science fields. Building on your qualification in medicine, dentistry, biomedical science or radiography, you will be able to apply your knowledge in the interests of justice and will learn to make high level, independent judgements in the forensic setting, gain sound knowledge of medico-legal principles, gain the skills to clearly communicate medico-legal issues to the justice system, prepare effective and objective medico-legal reports, critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues arising in forensic medical practice, and interpret wounds and injury patterns. You will develop a range of skills to equip you with the necessary attributes to work in the fields of forensic medicine, dentistry, or science within the parameters of the justice system.

SPECIALISATIONS

Clinical forensic medicine
Clinical forensic medicine has evolved into an increasingly specialised area within the wider field of forensic medical practice. Clinical forensic medicine encompasses a wide range of activities at the interface of medical practice and the law. The range of medico-legal services overlap with many other medical specialty areas; paediatrics, gynaecology, clinical toxicology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, dentistry and forensic pathology. However, the discipline of clinical forensic medicine has become the home of the special issues inherent in child and adult sexual/physical assault, traffic medicine and custodial medicine. The above services are provided by clinicians working either exclusively in the field of clinical forensic medicine, or in the other medical specialties including general practice. Increasingly, the courts (and other 'users' of clinical forensic expertise) scrutinise the knowledge and background of practitioners providing expert reports, and have a rising expectation of practitioners possessing formal qualifications in this field.

Forensic medical science
Forensic medical science encompasses a number of disciplines including forensic toxicology and pharmacology, mortuary technical science, forensic imaging, forensic aspects of molecular biology, and forensic aspects of nursing practice.

This field is focused on the recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence, the results of which will apply to a variety of case types, both for living and deceased individuals. In addition to the laboratory aspects of their work, forensic medical scientists require a sound understanding of forensic pathology and death investigation as the majority of work is conducted in a coronial environment.

Forensic medical science increasingly involves an understanding of advanced imaging modalities, such as CT, and an appreciation of the capabilities of fields such as forensic anthropology, molecular biology, and most especially clinical forensic medicine, forensic pathology and death investigation systems and protocols. The increasing demand for rigorously tested and analysed forensic evidence in the medico-legal environment means that practitioners now require higher level specialist tertiary qualifications.

Forensic odontology
Forensic odontology can be defined as the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence which will then be presented in the interest of justice. Forensic odontology is concerned with a wide range of activities at the interface of dental practice and the law such as human identification (including mass fatality victim identification), bite mark analysis, craniofacial trauma analysis, age estimation (of both the living and the deceased), child abuse, and dental malpractice. Forensic odontology expertise is utilised across the medico-legal spectrum where practitioners work closely with forensic pathologists, clinical forensic medical practitioners, forensic anthropologists, and forensic scientists. Forensic odontology is an integral part of the medico-legal process and practitioners now require formal qualifications and ongoing training in order to satisfy the evidence-based needs of the courts and the justice system.

Common questions

Where can I study Master of Forensic Medicine?

At Southbank.

How do I plan my Master of Forensic Medicine units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification: Master's Degree (Coursework)
AQF level: Level 9
Credit points: 72
Part time: 3 Years
Maximum time: 5 years

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Abbreviation: MForensMed
Award titles: Graduate Diploma of Forensic Medicine (exit only)Graduate Certificate of Forensic Medicine (exit only)Master of Forensic Medicine
Handbook years: 20202021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027