ODONT 6012HO - Principles and Methods of Forensic Odontology

Teaching Hospitals - Semester 1 - 2017

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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ODONT 6012HO
    Course Principles and Methods of Forensic Odontology
    Coordinating Unit Dental
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Teaching Hospitals
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to Grad Dip Forensic Odontology students only
    Course Description 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 Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Denice Higgins

    Dr Denice Higgins
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes


    1. Adopt and employ professional attitudes and standards/values by displaying the highest levels of integrity in all aspects of professional life.


    2. Use highly effective interpersonal skills to enable empathetic and effective communication with a range of audiences


    3. 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


    4. 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


    5. Effectively seek, analyse and evaluate data, materials and technology, as well as to produce expert opinions relating to the scope of forensic odontology


    6. 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


    7. 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 for communication, data management and identification methods


    8. 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
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    3 5 6 7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1 3 5 7 8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2 3 6 7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1 3 4 7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2 3 6 8
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1 3 6 8
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Attendance at regular forensic science professional meetings

    Mandatory active participation in team meetings

    Assessment tasks: task sheet and written examination

    Attendance and participation at seminars and tutorials



    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    6 units
    Learning Activities Summary

    (i) Attend and participate in weekly seminar program

    (ii) Complete Task sheet. Due Date: (May)

    (iii) Examination (Jun)
    Specific Course Requirements

    Only available to students enrolled in Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    (i) Attend and participate in weekly seminar program

    (ii) Complete Task sheet. Due Date: (May)

    (iii) Examination (Jun)
    Assessment Detail

    (i) Attend and participate in weekly seminar program. Grade out of 10

    (ii) Complete Task sheet. Due Date: (May). Grade out of 30

    (iii) Examination (Jun). Grade out of 60
    Submission
    Electronic submission of task sheet

    Hard copy of examination
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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