ODONT 6008AHO - Casework in Forensic Odontology Part 1
Teaching Hospitals - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ODONT 6008AHO Course Casework in Forensic Odontology Part 1 Coordinating Unit Dental Term Semester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s Teaching Hospitals Contact By supervision as required Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Restrictions Available to Grad Dip Forensic Odontology students only Assessment Casework performance, case-book, seminar presentation, essay, viva Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Denice Higgins
Director and Senior Specialist Odontologist
Forensic Odontology Unit/ Adelaide Dental School
Helen Mayo South, North Terrace Campus
Phone: 8313 6292Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
Full details will be made available in MyUni. -
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) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
3, 5, 6, 7 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 3, 5, 7, 8 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
2, 3, 6, 7 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1, 3, 4, 7 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
2, 3, 6, 8 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1, 3, 6, 8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Details will be made available on MyUni and are included in the student handbook for the Graduate Diploma ProgramRecommended Resources
Details will be made available on MyUni.Online Learning
Details will be made available on MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Clinical sessions will be a combination of in person in the Forensic Odontology Unit, city mortuary or live online via ZOOMWorkload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Contact Hours
5 hours/week
A typical week may include
1x3 hour clinical session
2x1 hour report writing sessions
Self-Directed Learning
3 hours/week
A significant amount of time is required for learning activities outside of the clinic in order to prepare for case work sessions
Learning Activities Summary
Students with participate in routine active casework and cold cases as directed. Casework sessions will be with qualified forensic practitioners and will explore the following disciplines:
-human identification
-disaster victim identification
-injury interpretation
-age estimation
-forensic report writing
Specific Course Requirements
To undertake case work sessions, students will require
-criminal history clearance
COVID-19 vaccination (for live in person only)
-FSSA induction (for live in person mortuary visits only)
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
(i) Preparation of case files and reports
(ii) Case-log of casework undertaken
(iii) Case-based discussions
(iv) Direct observation of practical skillsAssessment Related Requirements
Attendance at all clinic sessions, and tutorials/workshops are compulsory.
All students in the program are required to notify the course coordinator of absences. Students are reminded that the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology program is a professional degree, requiring the highest standards of professional behavior. Notification of any absence is also good professional conduct. International students need to be compliant and attend classes as a requirement of the visa obligations and responsibilities under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.Assessment Detail
Casebook A casebook log should be compiled for all actual and mock cases that the student participates in.
Case based discussions Throughout your training you should seek opportunities to present and discuss your cases with experienced colleagues and supervisors and receive feedback.
CbD assessments in Forensic Odontology indicate your ability to interpret and relate results to clinical findings; and to make decisions in relation to personal identity, age or origin of marks; including decisions with ethical and legal dimensions. The purpose of the CbD assessment is also to provide feedback to you about your progress by highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, thereby encouraging your professional development.
DOPS (Direct Observation of Practical Skills) The purpose of the Direct Observation of Practical Skills (DOPS) assessment is to indicate your acquisition of practical, clinical and mortuary skills; to show that you can work safely in the mortuary; and to provide feedback on the progress by highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, thereby encouraging your professional development. Observations can be made by your supervisor or by other suitable qualified staff.
Further details of specific assessment tasks and their timing will be provided to students in the Program handbook, which is also available in MyUni.Submission
Details regarding submission of specific assessment tasks, clinical self assessments and logbooks will be provided to students in the Program handbook and on MyUni.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
NOG (No Grade Associated) Grade Description CN Continuing 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 .
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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