ODONT 6108AHO - Casework in Forensic Odontology T/Y Continuing

Teaching Hospitals - Semester 1 - 2025

This course will require students to participation in routine casework undertaken by the Forensic Odontology Unit. Students will perform and report on casework, including Coronial oral autopsies, bite-mark examinations and age estimations. Preparation of case records and reports will be required for all cases. Attendance at the city mortuary and Courts of Law is required.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	ODONT 6108AHO
Course	Casework in Forensic Odontology T/Y Continuing
Coordinating Unit	Dental
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Teaching Hospitals
Contact	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 6292

Course Timetable

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

Full details will be made available in MyUni.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Be able to effectively seek, analyse and evaluate data, materials and technology, as well as to produce expert opinions relating to the scope of forensic odontology
2	Be able to prepare and present a specialised forensic odontology reports based on valid evidence fulfilling legal requirements
3	Be able to demonstrate the ability to adopt and employ professional attitudes and standards/values by displaying the highest levels of integrity in casework scenarios
4	Be able to demonstrate the use of highly effective interpersonal skills to enable empathetic and effective communication with a range of audiences
5	Be able to interact with allied forensic specialists to facilitate optimal case outcomes
6	Be able to recognise personal limitations and scope of practice of forensic odontology and know when to seek advice or refer to another speciality appropriately
7	Be able to demonstrate the ability to join a national or international forensic odontology team in Disaster Victim Identification by working effectively with other odontology personnel and with allied professional teams, to utilise information technology for communication, data management and identification methods

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.	1, 3, 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.	3, 6, 7
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.	3, 4, 5, 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 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.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	.
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	.
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.	4, 6, 7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Hands on casework will be facilitated through Forensic science SA in their mortuary.

Recommended Resources

Details will be made available in MyUni.

Online Learning

Details will be available in MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Students will participate in routine casework under the guidance of members of the Forensic Odontology Unit. They will perform and report on casework, including Coronial oral autopsies, bite-mark examinations and age estimations. Preparation of case records and reports will be required for all cases. Attendance at the city mortuary and Courts of Law is also required and will be facilitated.

Workload

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

Structured Learning Sessions
Tutorials: 12 x 1 hour sessions
Practicum Placement: 12 x 2 hours

Non-Contact Preparation
Weekly Reading/Other Study: 12 hours

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

Specific Course Requirements

Access to clinics and laboratories may require credentialing and police checks.

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

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
Preparation of casefiles and reports	Formative	0%	1, 5, 6, 7
Direct observation of practical skills	Formative and Summative	40%	1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Case-based discussions	Formative	0%	1, 2, 4, 6
Casebook	Summative	30%	1, 2
Seminar presentation	Summative	10%	1, 2, 6
Viva	Summative	20%	1, 2, 5, 6

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

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 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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator