Course description
The course has been designed for current practitioners with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (or equivalent) qualification, and will enable them to act as expert witnesses to present evidence in this specialist and rapidly expanding field.
The subjects taught include fundamental science and law for forensic practice, and their application to victim identification, identifying human remains, and to the analysis of bite marks and how bite mark evidence may be used in protecting the vulnerable person.
Course Content
The MSc in Forensic Odontology comprises six taught modules each worth 20 credits, plus a 60-credit research dissertation module.
Modules
* Science for Forensic Odontologists
This module is designed to enable students to acquire a sound scientific basis for a study of the normal hard and soft tissues involved in forensic odontological investigations, and to enable the practitioner to apply knowledge of the basis science of oral and facial structures to a forensic context.
* Legal Aspects of Forensic Science
The aim of this module is to enable students to acquire a practical knowledge of Law as it relates to the Forensic Odontologist and his relationships with the police, lawyers and the court.
* Identification of Human Remains
Students will become competent and familiar with dental autopsy techniques for comparative and reconstructive methods of dental identification of human remains using both contemporary and archaeological approaches.
* Disaster Victim Identification
Students will become fully conversant with the internationally recognized process of disaster victim identification and be competent to assist and contribute to this process in any circumstances around the world, through appreciation of cultural, religious and political issues, and through team work.
* Bite Mark Analysis
Students will become proficient and familiar with accepted techniques involved in bite mark analysis and will study the process and results of tissue damage as a result of impact with oral and dental structures, and understand the concepts to distinguish between human bite marks and those from other possible causative mechanisms.
* Advanced Bite Mark Analysis and Protection of the Vulnerable Person
The aim of this module is to enable students to have a comprehensive understanding of bite mark analysis in complex criminal and civil cases, and have a thorough insight into issues relating to abuse and neglect of the vulnerable person.
* Forensic Odontology Research Project
This module enables students to conduct independent and advanced research in forensic odontology and its related scientific forensic disciplines. Projects may be experimental and practical in nature, based upon literature research, or a critical evaluate of case studies etc.
How To Study
The course may be completed over two years full-time. Eligible students may also choose to complete the course part-time over a period of three years. The course has been designed to be delivered by Block-Mode. This means that students will study only one module at a time, and this involves a period of intensive distance learning supported by a virtual internet-based learning environment, followed by attendance at the University of a two-week block per module to complete a series of practical investigations, tutorials and lectures. You will typically spend up to 35 hours per week in scheduled classes during each two-week block.
Full time students will complete four modules in their first year, followed by two modules, plus a research project in their second year. Part time students will complete two modules in each of the first and second years, followed by the research project and two taught modules in the third year.
A typical study pattern is outlined below:-
Full-time study over two years
Year 1
o Science for Forensic Odontologists
o Legal Aspects of Forensic Science
o Identification of Human Remains
o Disaster Victim Identification
Year 2
o Bite Mark Analysis
o Advanced Bite Mark Analysis
o Forensic Odontology Research Project
Part-time study over three years
Year 1
o Science for Forensic Odontologists
o Legal Aspects of Forensic Science
Year 2
o Identification of Human Remains
o Disaster Victim Identification
Year 3
o Bite Mark Analysis
o Advanced Bite Mark Analysis
o Forensic Odontology Research Project
Career prospects
Successful graduates should be able to apply specialist expertise to a range of investigations where teeth and or mouth parts may be involved in criminal offences, or used to identify victims of crime or natural events. The demand for a specialist who is capable of analysing and interpreting evidence from teeth and bite marks is clear and the demand for graduates of this calibre is recognised globally
