LQB570 Forensic Anatomy

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

A strong foundation in human anatomy, particularly human osteology, is essential for the identification and interpretation of human remains as required by the Coronial system. This unit focuses on building advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the interpretation of a biological profile of unknown human skeletal remains. A biological profile includes the estimation of sex, ancestry, age and stature of unknown remains that assists towards potential matches in the missing persons database. This unit will also investigate crime scene examination techniques, human skeletal variability and taphonomy; and current research and applications within forensic anthropology. The unit culminates in the presentation of evidence in a moot court based on a semester long missing person case.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional standards and accuracy in the application of anatomical variation of human bones in a professional context.
2. Describe the process of decomposition and anthropological recovery of human remains.
3. Apply appropriate techniques to measure and interpret human bones to assist with individual identification, and present this data in an oral context and using report writing principles typical of that required by a Court of Law.
4. Apply research methodology to examine virtual human bones used for identification purposes and present data using scientific writing principles.

Content

Learning Approaches

You will be exposed to a variety of learning situations including workshops, practical sessions and guest lectures from practising industry professionals who will discuss real-world application of theoretical unit content, as well as career opportunities in the broad field of forensic anatomy. The learning environment will focus on the acquisition and application of anatomical terminology, through an exploration of the organisation and variation of the human skeleton and current topics in forensic anthropology. You will be exposed to many careers in the field from practising industry professionals. Materials available in practical sessions will include human bones from articulated and dis-articulated skeletons, anatomical models and casts, and real human specimens from the QUT skeletal collection. The practical environment provides an opportunity for anatomical discussions, skill development and regular content review. Some practicals may require a weekend excursion off campus. One aspect will be a project where you will be presented with a legal issue that requires anatomical and forensic knowledge to resolve the matter. Throughout the semester you will be required to perform a crime scene analysis, conduct a skeletal recovery, carry out a detailed anthropological analysis of human bones and present your findings to a Court of Law.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Informal weekly feedback on practical performance will be provided through small group activities and discussions. You will have the opportunity to self-evaluate your practical skills within the laboratory with worked examples. Feedback will be provided to you at key points throughout the semester prior to applying the practical skills to your case study assessment. On completion of your case study assessment, you will receive feedback through peer-review, providing you the opportunity to adjust your assessment before submission. You will then receive feedback from industry professionals following your moot court presentation. 

Assessment

Overview

Your assessment will consist of three main items.

In the forensic research project, you will be required to investigate a contemporary forensic anthropological topic, apply a virtual forensic anthropological method and provide an opinion on the matter. This research project will allow you to critically analyse scientific literature, demonstrate an understanding of current methodologies in the forensic anthropological field and develop technical skills using DICOM viewer software.

The forensic case study will consist of progressive tasks throughout the semester which will require you to appropriately document your expert observations in a case file, and summarise all of your findings into a report/statement provided to the Court. This assessment will allow you to develop critical thinking and written scientific communication skills.

Your third assessment item is a moot court presentation at the end of semester and will assess your oral presentation skills suitable for communication in a Court of Law. This assessment will allow you to present your expert findings from throughout the semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Forensic research project

You are a forensic anthropologist collating information from a literature review in order to determine the most appropriate anthropological method to apply to a virtual set of human remains. You will produce a report of your expert opinion for the Queensland Police.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Forensic case study

You are a forensic investigator who will provide an expert opinion in a Court of Law based on documented evidence that you have collected throughout the semester. Submission includes your entire case file of notes and observations made, your statement/report which is a summary of your case file and is admissable in a Court of Law, and your participation in the peer review process of a case file and statement of one of your peers.

Assessment: Moot Court

You are a forensic investigator who has been called to the Court of Law to provide an oral expert testimony on your case file in a simulated court room. You will be questioned by industry professionals in the roles of prosecution and defence on your observations and opinions. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Gown - Rear-fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Costs

A rear-fastening white lab gown is the responsibility of the student to purchase before the first practical class.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

This unit includes a laboratory component that involves the observation and handling of human donor material, including skeletal material. As the viewing and handling of human donor material is embedded in the content and assessment of this unit, if you have any personal objections or cultural sensitivities to observing or handling human donor material, you are advised not to enrol in this unit, and choose an appropriate alternative with the advice of your course coordinator.

In order that you become proficient in the necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You will be required to review a series of online induction resources and material specific to this unit including the General Gardens Point Laboratory Practice and Human Donor Preparedness online resources, and successfully complete an online quiz associated with each of these inductions, before being allowed access to the laboratory. You are required to adhere to the safety requirements outlined in this material, and exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times when accessing human donor material. Check your Canvas site for information on how to access the induction material and quizzes, and complete the student declaration of compliance.

If you have an underlying health condition or have any concerns in viewing and/or handling human donor material you are encouraged to consult the unit coordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Forensic research project, Forensic case study, Moot Court
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Forensic research project, Forensic case study
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Forensic research project
4. Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
   Relates to: Forensic case study, Moot Court
5. Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
   Relates to: Forensic research project, Moot Court