AuSFO Short Courses

The Australian Society of Forensic Odontology can provide two training courses, for delivery either in Australia or in the immediate region, to groups by mutual arrangement. The two courses cover different aspects of forensic odontology.

The first course is an introduction to forensic odontology and is carefully crafted to reflect the situation in the country where it is being presented.
The second course is more focussed on the role of forensic odontology in a DVI operation. Participants are trained in the current Interpol standards.

Both courses have a high level of practical involvement and are conducted using a mentor system of teaching which allows the students much closer contact with the teaching staff.

With the resources and expertise available to AuSFO we are always willing to consider a request for specific training needs and will design a course to the specification of the target audience if one of our standard courses does not fulfil their needs. For more details of AuSFO training courses please contact the AuSFO Secretary via email.

Course 1. Forensic Odontology

An introduction to forensic odontology aimed mainly at the medical and dental practitioner. Police personnel will also benefit from this course.

The course introduces participants to the basic principles of forensic odontology. The main focus is to teach best practice in the simple forms of identification by dental state. Interpol standards and paperwork are stressed throughout the course. Topics such as photo-superimposition, age estimation and disaster mortuary design are also introduced.

Over 60% of the course is hands-on and includes a very realistic exercise in identification. A unique feature of the course in the table-top presentations that occur every morning before formal lectures commence to allow students more time for hands-on experiences while enjoying close and easy access to the teaching staff.

Contact AuSFO for more information

Course 2. Forensic Odontology in the DVI operation

Focused on required skills specific to a DVI operation. While aimed at the interested dental practitioner, it contains elements of value to medical practitioners and Police officers.

This is course aims to train participants for a DVI operation. The skills required in using dental records to identify a victim using the Interpol Guidelines is the basis of this course. Special emphasis is paid to the need for understanding and co-operation between specialist groups and the police agencies, the special needs of each group are discussed in detail. Disaster mortuary design and mortuary placement and usage are taught with emphasis on Occupational Health and Safety issues.

There is a heavy emphasis on practical classes and students are expected to take part in a ‘gridding’ exercise to allow them to understand body recovery from a disaster site. On completion of this course it is expected that students would be competent to assist in a DVI operation under the command of an experienced practitioner.

Contact AuSFO for more information