Plans for forensic dentistry

THERE are plans to offer a new course in forensic dentistry at the Fiji National University's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Australian High Commission head of mission Glenn Miles made the revelation at the opening of the Forensic Odontology in Medico-legal Investigation and Human Identification workshop earlier this week.

"These initiatives will, I understand, ultimately lead to the development of a new Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology courses to be offered by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences," Mr Miles said.

College dean Prof Ian Rouse confirmed Mr Miles' revelation, saying they were interested in introducing forensic dentistry into the curriculum.

"The college is very interested in further development of postgraduate programs in dentistry and is very keen on a PG Certificate and Diploma in Forensic Dentistry," Prof Rouse said.

"This would need to be done in collaboration with an overseas partner with significant expertise."

The workshop, funded through AusAID, is a first in the Pacific. It is being led by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to help improve regional expertise in odontology expertise for death and trauma investigation, child abuse investigation, bite-mark and facial injury interpretation, age estimation, disaster victim identification and medico-legal reporting.

Mr Miles said the workshop would provide participants with knowledge and practical skills and enable them to apply it at coronary inquests and legal proceedings particularly in the field of human identification.

Thursday 21 June 2012

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=204430