Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology

Program Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology equips graduates to identify victims and perpetrators through dental comparisons and bite mark analysis. The program emphasizes professional handling, examination, and presentation of dental evidence, preparing graduates for careers in law enforcement, medical examiner offices, and forensic consulting firms. Graduates develop expertise in conducting oral autopsies, bite-mark examinations, and age estimations, while adhering to ethical and legal implications in forensic odontology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology offers a specialized dental science required for the criminal justice system. It equips graduates to identify victims and perpetrators, primarily through comparisons of dental records with human remains and bite marks.
• Objectives:
The program emphasizes professional handling, examination, interpretation, and presentation of dental and oral evidence. Graduates develop expertise in conducting oral autopsies, bite-mark examinations, and age estimations while learning the history, ethics, and legal implications of forensic odontology.
• Description:
The practical program focuses on case examinations and working alongside law enforcement and legal entities. Graduates gain proficiency in preparing reports, leveraging technology in evidence handling, and effectively communicating findings within legal proceedings. The nature of the program may present confronting and emotionally demanding content.

Outline:

• Content:
The program encompasses topics ranging from the fundamentals of forensic odontology to advanced case examination techniques. Graduates develop a thorough understanding of dental identification, age estimation, bite-mark analysis, and the application of dental forensics in civil and criminal cases.
• Structure:
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology requires completion of five core courses:
• Research Methods and Ethics
• Casework in Forensic Odontology
• Principles and Methods of Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Odontology Research
• Integrated Forensic Science.

Assessment:

• Methods:
Assessment comprises essays, written examinations, viva voce (oral) examinations, seminar participation, and a research project.
• Criteria:
The program evaluates students through:
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Research methodology and application

Careers:

• Career Paths:
The program prepares graduates for careers as forensic odontologists, specializing in forensic and legal applications of dental expertise.
• Opportunities:
Graduates can find opportunities in law enforcement agencies, medical examiner offices, coroners' offices, dental laboratories, and forensic consulting firms.
• Outcomes:
The program emphasizes the development of skills essential for providing expert witness testimony, aiding in criminal and civil investigations, and supporting justice system efforts to establish and present forensic dental evidence.