Course description
PgCert Forensic Radiography
This exciting new course is for radiographers who wish to advance their forensic-radiography skills within their clinical setting.
Forensic Radiography (40 credits)
This module is ideal if you are a radiographer dealing with forensic examinations and want to enhance your skills in this area. The Society of Radiographers advocates radiographers in forensics to be appropriately educated and trained in forensic practice.
You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of forensic radiography through lectures, seminars, small group work, tutorials and formative assessment. We encourage you to reflect on and share your own experiences. Direct contact learning is in a five day block at the beginning of the module (in September). You will then look at issues in more depth using self-directed study – this is facilitated and supported through Blackboard.
If you haven't studied at postgraduate level before, we offer sessions on writing, referencing and literature-searching skills. These are timetabled for the start of the course.
Our learning and teaching strategies help you to critically relate theory to practice. Your sessions will be facilitated by forensic specialists, demonstrating the multi-disciplinary nature of forensic practice.
Indicative content
-History of forensic radiography
-Role of the coroner
-Medico-legal issues, including continuity of evidence and admissibility
-Role of the pathologist
-Radiographic examinations for the pathologist/coroner
-Non-accidental injury - paediatric
-Non-accidental injury - eldery
-Health and safety, including infection control and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
-Role of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in forensic radiography
-Standards of digital evidence
-Protocols, and roles and responsibilities
-Pattern recognition
-Cultural issues
Radiography in Mass Fatalities (20 credits)
This module focuses on forensic radiography in the temporary mortuary after a mass fatalities incident. It extends your knowledge and skills from the forensic radiography module through lectures, seminars, small group work, tutorials, practicals and formative assessment. We also encourage you to reflect on and share your own experiences.
Direct contact learning will take place at the beginning of the module over a five day block. You will then need to study issues in more depth by yourself with support through Blackboard.
Our learning and teaching strategies help you to critically relate theory to practice. You will be able to use forensic radiographic skills during laboratory-based work. As it is difficult to simulate forensic practice’s unpredictable environment, we use case studies from actual disasters to show the varied environments and problems. Sessions are facilitated by forensic specialists who demonstrate the multi-disciplinary nature of forensic practice.
Indicative content
-Role of forensic radiography in mass fatalities
-Crime scene investigation
-Victim recovery
-Identifying the deceased
-Temporary mortuary – police aspect
-Temporary mortuary – radiography aspect
-Equipment
-Problem solving – equipment
-Role of the forensic odontologist
-Role of forensic anthropology
-Health and safety in the temporary mortuary
-Continuity of evidence in the temporary mortuary
-Forensic odontology
-Radiographer’s welfare in the temporary mortuary
-Fluoroscopy
-Cultural and ethical issues
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
-Evaluate forensic radiography’s role in clinical practice
-Understand medico-legal aspects of forensic radiography practice
-Discuss the roles of other forensic practice professionals, identifying how their knowledge helps multi-disciplinary teamwork
-Critically evaluate imaging modalities used in forensic practice
-Develop knowledge and skills to write forensic protocols
-Understand post-traumatic stress disorder and evaluate strategies to reduce the risk
Cognitive and intellectual skills
-Integrate and synthesise diverse knowledge, evidence and concepts to promote understanding and good forensic radiography practice
-Show a critical and comprehensive understanding of the evidence base and how it applies to forensic radiography practice
-Have an informed debate of aspects of forensic radiography and in developing departmental and forensic protocols
Practical and professional skills
-Analyse injury processes and pathologies
-Act autonomously as a clinical expert in forensic radiography practice
-Operate ethically in complex and unpredictable specialist forensic situations
-Have a critical understanding of issues governing effective forensic radiography practice
-Operate safely and adhere to health and safety guidance during forensic radiographic examinations
Transferable skills
-Identify your personal development needs for practice
-Maintain your own continuing professional development, responding to relevant professional requirements
-Communicate complex forensic and professional issues to specialists and non-specialists
-Promote inter-professional understanding, collaboration and effective working relationships
-Apply autonomy and decision-making skills to individual practice
-Plan, manage and evaluate acquiring new knowledge.
Course structure
The course is made up of two modules: Forensic Radiography (delivered over a one-week study block in October) and Forensic Radiography in Mass Fatalities (delivered over a one-week study block in January). The sessions will be facilitated by recognised specialists in the field of forensics demonstrating the multidisciplinary nature of forensic practice. You will be encouraged to reflect upon and share your own experiences.
Careers
Successful completion of the course will enhance your career as a practitioner with specialist forensic-radiography skills.
