Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Forensic services integrated and expanded

Attorney-General Jan Wade, speaking at the start of construction of extensions to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) in Southbank, said that victims of sexual assault would soon have access to specialised hospitals and centres for forensic procedures and improved follow-up services.

"There will be a much closer association with other organisations in the community which deal with victims of crime, particularly the centres against sexual assault," the Minister said.

Mrs Wade said the integration of services was a result of legislative changes introduced by the Coalition Government that transferred clinical forensic medicine, better known as the work of police surgeons, to the VIFM.

"In the past, one of the main problems was the lack of continuity between the processes of forensic medicine and the need for victims of crime to have follow-up services.

"By having these services based at designated hospitals, there will be a greater chance of attracting women doctors to enhance service delivery to women who are victims of violent crime," she said.

Apart from clinical forensic medicine functions, the facility will also house the new National Coroners Information System, facilities for the donor tissue bank, teaching facilities and a molecular biology laboratory.

The Department of Justice in partnership with Monash University have contributed the funds necessary for the capital infrastructure for the National Coroners Information System, enabling it to be based in Victoria.

Victoria Police has signed a new five-year agreement with VIFM governing the provision of clinical forensic medicine services.

The Minister also launched a history of the Institute, written by Professor Vernon Plueckhahn.

(News Release, Office of the Attorney-General, July 28, 1999)