REPORT COVID-19 PANDEMIC - FEATURE - Parliament of Victoria
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2019-20/Annual
REPORT
VIFM’S RESPONSE TO THE
COVID-19
PANDEMIC
FEATURE
1
Report of Operations
Accountable Officer’s
Declaration
In accordance with the
Financial Management Act
1994, I am pleased to present the
Victorian Institute of Forensic
Medicine’s Annual Report for
the year ending 30 June 2020.
Professor Noel Woodford
Director
2
Contents
Overview 06 Significant Events 72
Our Organisation at a Glance
The Chairman’s Perspective
Director’s Report
Chief Operating Officer’s Report In Memoriam 74
Corporate Governance 18
Foundation
VIFM Staff 75
The VIFM Council
Feature 28
VIFM’s Response to
Financial Performance 78
the COVID-19 Pandemic
Governance and 81
Operational Reporting 40
Overview
Compliance Reporting
Forensic Services Division
Drug Testing Services
for Victoria Police
Financial Statements 91
Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria
Academic Programs
The International Program
Appendices 127
Research Governance 62
A: Disclosure Index
at the VIFM
B: VIFM’s Statutory
Objects and Functions
Reporting to 65 C: Committees
Government D: Publications
BP3 statistics table E: Presentations
F: Staff by Department
Highlights and 66
Achievements
Overview
Who We Are
As an institution focussed on forensic medicine, the
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) serves the
community and the courts. Our statutory responsibilities
are to provide independent forensic medical and scientific
expertise to the justice system, tissue for transplantation,
and to both teach and undertake research that will benefit
the community. Our Motto
The VIFM provides the justice system with the crucial
evidence that underpins safe convictions and appropriate
acquittals. Our doctors and scientists investigate deaths
reported to the coroner, examine alleged offenders and
medically assess and support victims of crime.
The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV) supports
patients and their families by providing safe tissues
Veritas Omnia Vincit
to medical specialists and Victorian hospitals for
transplantation and medical research. – Truth Conquers All
Our medical and scientific staff members undertake
research that directly contributes to public health and VIFM’s forensic pathologists
safety and the just working of our legal system. By
contributing to the professional development and education
of forensic pathologists, physicians and scientists, we
ensure a high standard of forensic medical services for
Victoria and provide critical support for our healthcare and Our Values Our Working Our Role in Teaching,
justice systems.
RESPECT - We respect all people, our history, our calling Relationships Training and Research
and the law.
The Institute is a statutory agency within the Justice and The Institute’s founding legislation and mission requires us
Mission OPENNESS - We are open-minded, open to each other,
Community Safety portfolio and our responsible minister to undertake professional training and research in forensic
is the Victorian Attorney-General. medicine and related scientific disciplines.
We exist to provide quality-driven, ethically-grounded, and open to knowledge and learning.
independent forensic medical and scientific services for the We work in close partnership with many sectors of the These academic activities in medicine, law and science are
justice system; to expand and share our knowledge locally Victorian community. fundamental to the Institute’s credibility in the courts and allow
and globally; and to make a positive contribution to the SERVICE - We provide services for the community that are us to maintain a highly professional standing in national and
health and safety of our community. responsive and client-focused. The strength of the working relationships we have with international medical, legal and scientific communities.
our clients and stakeholders is critical to our success. Our
primary stakeholders are the courts and we work for, and in
INTEGRITY - We will be beyond reproach. We commit to close collaboration with, the Coroners Court of Victoria.
truth, confidentiality, impartiality and accountability. We commit
Vision to systems that are secure, reliable, accurate, valid and safe. The Institute operates the Coronial Admissions and Enquiries
office and undertakes medico-legal death investigations on
We strive to continue to be a trusted and innovative leader behalf of the Coroners Court. The Institute also has a service
in global forensic medicine and science.
INNOVATION - We are creative and curious. We are not level agreement with Victoria Police to deliver clinical forensic
afraid to do things differently. We will continue our search for medical services and toxicology testing. Other important
knowledge and truth. partners include the Victorian courts, Monash University
and the University of Melbourne, the Australian Federal
Police, legal and medical professionals, and public and
private hospitals.
6 7
Our Organisation at a Glance
Forensic Services and Corporate Services and Development providing corporate
Donor Tissue Banking at VIFM and logistical support to our operations
Death Clinical Forensic Drug Testing Donor Tissue Bank Quality and Improvement Information, Communications
Investigation Medicine Services for of Victoria and Technology
Victoria Police » Oversight and management of the VIFM
» Forensic pathology » Sexual assault » Deceased and living donor Quality Management System including: » Forensic operations IT system
+ Autopsy or external examinations » Road traffic toxicology identification maintenance and development
+ Document control administration
examination » Physical assault » Clinical toxicology » Tissue collection » IT and telecommunications infrastructure
+ Continuous Improvement Request and
+ Histopathology examinations » Occupational toxicology » Tissue processing operations and maintenance
Corrective Actions (CIRCA) administration
» Forensic radiology » Examinations of victims » Tissue quality and safety + Internal quality auditing » Digital communications
» Mortuary services of interpersonal violence evaluation + Proficiency testing administration » Cyber Security
» Forensic science including family violence » Tissue distribution for + NATA Accreditation and ISO Certification
+ Post-mortem toxicology » Fitness for interview transplantation administration and coordination
+ Molecular biology (DNA) examinations » Tissue distribution for + TGA Licensing and Biologicals
Finance and Business Services
+ Histology » Traffic medicine research Framework Registration
+ Microbiology » Clinical pharmacology » Business improvement using the Lean 6 » Financial management and accounting
» Forensic odontology Sigma methodology » Procurement advice
» Forensic anthropology » VIFM External Source Complaints » Financial compliance monitoring
» Forensic entomology Program administration » Key performance indicator monitoring
» Cold case investigations » Internal investigation of quality issues » Purchasing and supplies management
» Oversight of risk management » Building and facility management
Academic Programs in collaboration with the
Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University Legal, Governance and Policy
Human Resources and Development
Research Library Services International Program » Governance support for the VIFM Council » Recruitment and selection
and Committees » Payroll, remuneration and benefits
» Injury prevention Teaching & Training » Forensic capacity
» Statutory interpretation and legal advice » Employee learning and development
» Health law + Disaster victim identification
» Policy development » Performance management
» Aged care » Undergraduate
xxpreparedness
» Research governance support » Employee relations
» Medical imaging + Medical Law Program
+ Forensic pathology
» Strategic and business planning » HR / advice
» Adverse medical events + Forensic Medicine Program
» Consultancy services
leadership and support » Industrial relations
» Drug harm unit » Postgraduate
» Training and network facilitation
» Contract management » Occupational health and safety
» Coronial law + Master of Forensic Medicine
» Humanitarian support
» Privacy and data protection » Employee wellbeing and support
+ PhD by Research
» Compliance monitoring » Leave management
» International Programs
8 9
equipment is invaluable in supplying of murderers. In the prosecution of
The Chairman’s radiological information which in many homicide cases there is an ever- I should also mention the Donor Tissue
instances has reduced the necessity of increasing reliance on forensic medical Bank of Victoria (DTBV), established
Perspective conducting full autopsies. Unfortunately, and scientific evidence provided by the and operated by the Institute. It provides
as I indicated in last year’s Annual Institute’s expert witnesses. This is part hope for many Victorians who benefit
The Hon. John Coldrey AM QC Report, the current scanner will need to of what is referred to as the ‘CSI effect’. from the generous donation by relatives
be replaced in the near future. of deceased persons of skin, bone,
The safety and protection of the public cardiac valves, ligaments and corneas.
A further vital adjunct to addressing (often our youth) from exposure to new These donations give a positive
the post-mortem process is the advent toxic drugs is attained by the Institute’s meaning to the tragedy of an untimely
of the MRI machine. Such a machine, skilled toxicologists who rapidly identify death. Furthermore, they may be crucial
with its capacity to detect abnormalities these drugs. to the recovery of maimed victims of any
in the soft tissues (especially in mass disaster.
the context of heart, lung and brain The safety and protection of motorists,
disease), and to provide a permanent cyclists and pedestrians is fostered I write this at a time when prolonged
three-dimensional auditable record of by the exposure through the tests bushfire seasons are being predicted.
a body, may in many cases eliminate conducted by our toxicologists of drug-
the need to undertake a conventional affected drivers piloting vehicles with a Indeed, in the wake of the White Island
autopsy. Consequently, its introduction lethal capacity on our highways. volcano eruption in New Zealand in
would accelerate the death investigation December 2019, the DTBV provided
process while reducing workload The ultimate safety and protection of over 40,000 square centimetres of skin
pressures. members of the community subjected to for the treatment of survivors.
violence – particularly vulnerable women
Moreover, such innovative equipment and children who are the victims of The paramount aim of the VIFM may
would deliver additional benefits. In family violence and sexual assault – is be summarised as ensuring that the
a multicultural society such as ours, frequently reliant on the expert evidence members of this community live in a
where some groups regard post-mortem provided to the courts by the Institute’s safe, healthy and humane society,
interference with a body as contrary to team of highly specialised clinical functioning within the matrix of the rule
their religious beliefs, the use of an MRI forensic doctors. of law. It is the view of the VIFM Council
machine can avoid cultural disharmony. that this will only be fully achieved if
Further, and of great investigative I interpolate that, in conjunction with the Institute is provided with adequate
significance, a two-door MRI machine the Department of Forensic Medicine resources.
enables the conduct of examinations at Monash University, these doctors
of ‘live victims’ of violent crime. It are presently playing a vital role in the Whilst the Council appreciates the
can reveal, for example, whether development of a training program for efforts of the Department of Justice
compressive force has been applied health professionals and first responders and Community Safety (DJCS) to
there are 12.8 FTE (full time equivalent) one’s body to family and friends will
Serving our community to the neck and, potentially, provide dealing with cases of sexual violence. garner those resources, fiscal reform
of them serving the Victorian public at exacerbate their emotional trauma.
evidence of attempted strangulation or is imperative. The fact is that in recent
The emotional trauma caused by this Institute.
for the proposed new criminal offence of The future health and wellbeing of years, budgeting appropriations have
the death of a loved-one cannot be How to address this problem? non-fatal neck compression. families is facilitated when a post- failed to reflect the expenditure required
overstated. When that death is the It takes 12 years to qualify as a forensic
mortem examination reveals the for the Institute to fulfil its statutory
unexpected result of violence, accident, pathologist. There are approximately 69
Firstly, there is a need for extra Put simply, the acquisition of an MRI presence of potentially inheritable obligations. Indeed, the Council
suicide, drug overdose or the lethal of these specialists in Australia.
pathologists and mortuary technicians. machine is crucial. genetic defects. members have been faced with the
result of a pandemic, that emotional The Attorney-General, the Hon. dilemma of ensuring that the Institute
trauma is amplified. The task they perform is exacting,
Jill Hennessy, has recognised this Whilst I have concentrated my Similarly, the community benefits from discharges its legislative duties without
complex and often emotionally charged.
imperative (in July 2020) to immediately comments on the role of forensic the ongoing research undertaken themselves breaching the fiduciary
The impact of such a death, spreads Its aftermath may involve discussions
recruit two forensic pathologists and five pathologists, the VIFM is required by the Institute into such areas as duties required of Board members.
outwards in a ripple effect to encompass with grieving relatives and the stress
mortuary technicians. by statute to undertake a wide range the causation of diseases and the
friends and colleagues of the deceased. of a court appearance as an expert
of functions. A reading of the Annual prevention of accidents. This situation has been exacerbated
witness in a Supreme Court murder
The VIFM is extremely grateful for the Report will provide information of the by a failure to understand that as a
In the past 12 months the Victorian trial or a coronial inquest. Additionally,
Attorney-General’s ongoing support of, complexity of the Institute’s medical, Quite apart from its mission to enhance frontline, demand-driven organisation,
Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), in the work of our forensic pathologists
and interest in, the Institute, exemplified scientific, educational and research community safety and protection and to predominantly staffed by medical
fulfilling its death investigation function, is unremitting. In the past year each
by her inspection of its facilities and her activities, within Victoria, nationally and promote public health, the VIFM plays a and scientific specialists, the yearly
has examined the bodies of over 7000 forensic pathologist has conducted
launching of the VIFM and Coroners internationally. But I think it is worth vital role in the expeditious identification budgetary reduction occasioned by
people. People whose deaths will, some 570 post-mortems. This is twice
Court of Victoria’s web-series ‘Afterlife’. reiterating some comments I have made of victims of natural and man-made the blanket requirement of a notional
collectively, have touched the lives the internationally recommended
in previous reports. disasters, such as the 2009 Victorian efficiency dividend is impractical,
of many thousands of Victorians – number of autopsies. This workload
With a burgeoning population, and one bushfires (173 deaths) and the shooting unrealistic and financially deleterious.
members of this community who will cannot be sustained. We are at a crisis
which is rapidly ageing, the demands It needs to be understood by Parliament down of the aircraft MH17 over the
be anxious to know a cause of death point.
on the Institute’s medico-legal death and the community that this Institute Ukraine (30 Australian fatalities). It needs to be understood that in the
and, anxious to honour, remember and investigating capacity will inevitably is a unique front-line organisation, past three financial years financial
celebrate the life of the deceased in I do not think I need to spell out the
continue to increase. promoting public safety and protection, It is essential, as an act of basic equilibrium has only been achieved
funerals and memorial services. disastrous consequences to the
and public health. humanity, that this Institute retains the by way of the ad hoc mechanism of
community of any failure of the death
One weapon in the fight to address capacity to identity those killed in these Treasurer’s Advances and the very
At the forefront of death investigation investigation system. It is sufficient to
these growing demands has been the The safety and protection of our catastrophes so as to bring peace of welcome provision of additional
are forensic pathologists. Currently note that any delay in releasing a loved-
use of a CT scanner. This sophisticated community is served by the conviction mind to their loved-ones and friends. funds by the DJCS.
10 11
of both the Executive and Finance Substantial contributors
Director’s
Based on past budget allocations, the
VIFM operating budget would face a
and the Audit and Risk Management
Committees, Professor Conyers was
Report
Once again, I acknowledge the
deficit of some $10 million or almost 30 pivotal in the establishment of the
per cent of the total appropriations this governing protocols that have guided
unstinting contributions of the Chairmen Professor Noel Woodford
of the Council subcommittees –
financial year. the Institute’s activities into the 21st
Executive and Finance, Audit and Risk
century. He was a worthy recipient
Management, Ethics and Donor Tissue
Whilst the Council appreciates that we of a VIFM Fellowship. Its citation
Bank – being respectively, Professor
currently live in the grip of a pandemic referred to his “constant and unstinting
Bob Conyers and his successor Neil
with its accompanying financial support for the advancement of the
Robertson, Stephen Nossal and Tim
stringency, this structural deficiency Institute and its ideals”. As part of this
Fitzmaurice.
in budgetary appropriations is not organisation’s existence for two thirds
sustainable. It is anathema to any of its development, Professor Conyers
Special thanks are due to the Chief
rational future planning. We look forward truly deserves his place in the VIFM
Operating Officer Mari-Ann Scott and
to its rectification as soon as possible. pantheon.
Chief Financial Officer Peter Ford for the
consummate discharge of their roles.
In this regard I wish to acknowledge In the past year, the Council has gained
the ongoing strong support of the the services of three highly qualified
I conclude by expressing my unbounded
Attorney-General and members of the members. Associate Professor Merrole
admiration for all the members of the
DJCS for the submissions made by the Cole-Sinclair, who is a clinical and
VIFM. Yet again they have performed
VIFM to the State Budget development laboratory haematologist and the
magnificently in a challenging and
process in an effort to obtain realistic Head of the Laboratory Haematology
stressful environment under the
funding for the essential tasks which the Department at St. Vincent’s Pathology.
distinguished leadership of Professor
Institute must undertake in serving the She is an honorary adjunct Associate
Noel Woodford.
community. Professor in the Department of
Pathology, University of Melbourne and
Further, the Victorian Government has also in the Department of Epidemiology
advanced $2 million for the design and Preventive Medicine at Monash
and construction of a new Coronial University.
Admissions and Enquiries entrance,
which will be more welcoming to Associate Professor Cole-Sinclair is
bereaved families and which supports joined by Professor Sophia Zoungas
the safety and security of staff members. who is an endocrinologist. Professor
Zoungas, is Head of the School of Public
The VIFM Council Health and Preventative Medicine at
Monash University. She is also a senior
Once again, the Institute has benefited staff specialist in Endocrinology and As the tragedy of COVID-19 unfolded, for our essential service staff at sites
Responding to COVID-19
from its governance by a highly Diabetes at Alfred Health and Monash we closely and frequently engaged nearby.
credentialed Council (Board), whose Health and Professor of Diabetes, If the Victorian bushfires of 2009 could with emergency management agencies
activities include oversighting the Vascular Health and Ageing. rightly be considered a defining moment including Victoria Police, the Department Providing donated tissue
organisation’s strategic planning and in the history of the VIFM, the events of Health and Human Services (DJCS), to the victims of the White
monitoring its finances. The voluntary The new State Coroner, Judge John of 2020 will run them close in terms of Emergency Management Victoria Island volcano eruption
and dedicated commitment of Council Cain, has also joined the Council and the lasting impact on our staff and work, and the Department of Justice and
members to the successful attainment the Council is already enjoying the and a renewed appreciation of our role Community Safety in planning and Another event around the time of the
of the objectives of the VIFM deserves benefit of his legal and administrative in making sure we are prepared for the preparation for the possibility of large bushfires demonstrated our readiness to
recognition and thanks. expertise. numbers of fatalities as seen in media contribute to the management of large-
worst.
reports from the USA and Europe. scale emergencies – the eruption of the
The diverse and considerable Sadly, in February 2020, John’s father, Fortunately, concerted community White Island volcano in New Zealand.
The rapidly successive catastrophes
achievements of the Council members John Cain Senior, died. As Premier of efforts to curtail the spread of the virus We were able to rapidly despatch
of summer bushfires (an unwelcome
are set out in the biographical notes in Victoria, he together with the Attorney- have resulted in daily COVID-related donated skin for the urgent treatment
reminder of the events of a decade ago)
the Corporate Governance section of General, the Hon. Jim Kennan, fatalities limited to comparatively low of burns victims there and on their
and COVID-19 have challenged us this
this report. established the VIFM. In December numbers, but at the time of writing we repatriation to Australia. The need for
year in many, often unanticipated, ways.
2018, he was the Guest of Honour are ready to deploy additional temporary an adequately resourced mass fatality
At the outset of the viral pandemic, we
In this reporting period, former State at the Institute’s 30th Anniversary body storage capacity on-site in the management plan and tissue banking
set ourselves three goals: to continue
Coroner, Judge Sara Hinchey, and Celebration. The debt owed to him unfortunate event it is needed. facilities, to ensure self-sufficiency in
to provide the services the community
Professor Bob Conyers, retired from by this organisation and the Victorian relies on us for, to ensure the safety and the supply of skin for the treatment of
the Council. Judge Hinchey’s period community is immense. Before leaving the issue of the burns victims, are the messages in our
wellbeing of our staff, and to contribute
of tenure was marked by her insightful pandemic, I would like to acknowledge submission to the Royal Commission
to community efforts to reduce the
contributions both to the operation of The tragic death of Dr Melissa Baker with gratitude the donation by Life into National Natural Disaster
spread of the virus. I am proud to say
the Institute itself and to the better co- also occurred this year. Dr Baker was Saving Victoria of P2 masks in May, the Arrangements and are as critical now as
that so far we have delivered on all
ordination of the Coroners Court and the a highly regarded and much-loved State Emergency Service for making they were back in 2009.
these commitments, and the lessons
Institute. member of the Institute’s team of car parking available at their Moore St
we have learned, and the new skills
forensic pathologists. A special tribute to facility, and the Melbourne City Council
we have developed, will stand us in
Professor Bob Conyers served the her is contained in this annual report. for assisting with the provision of parking
good stead as we emerge into a post-
organisation for 21 years. As Chair COVID-19 world.
12 13
Ensuring the wellbeing of Forensic Medicine was successful in practice, to which he was soon to add
Securing the VIFM’s In conclusion
obtaining a $4.5 million grant from the qualifications in toxicology. Throughout
financial sustainability our staff
Commonwealth Department of Social his forensic medical career, Morris has
This year’s annual report has as its
Services for the development of sexual been a major contributor to road safety
Before the bushfires, COVID-19 and Well before COVID-19, but arguably theme our approach to the COVID-19
assault training materials designed for through his expertise in the effects of
volcanic eruptions dominated the even more important in the current crisis: what we did, the decisions we
use by medical practitioners and others drugs and medical conditions on driving
agenda, the VIFM entered the 2019-20 socially dislocated circumstances, the made, what it taught us, and how
– a fantastic achievement and reflection ability. His engaging and entertaining
year with optimism and energy but with mental health and wellbeing of our staff it will change the way we work in a
of our expertise in the field. lectures to police and students, as well
some significant problems to solve. has been of paramount concern. Times post-COVID world. From telemedicine
as his broad medical knowledge, clinical
Chief amongst these are our ongoing such as these demonstrate the benefits consultations to web-based court
Despite COVID’s global effects, our acumen and affable demeanour will be
challenging budgetary position and of a collegial work environment with hearings, from working from home
international engagements included greatly missed.
issues relating to building design and strong support structures, including our to detailed disaster planning, this
continuation of our long-standing
space shortages. I am pleased to report Peer-to-Peer support networks, as well pandemic has challenged us in many
that we are receiving strong support as more formal processes including
commitment to training Sri Lankan Working with our unanticipated ways, but we have coped
forensic medical specialists, support to stakeholders
from both the Attorney-General and the mental health and wellbeing training for and thrived. I am particularly proud of
Indo-Pacific colleagues at conferences
DJCS in the management of each of managers and the development of our the efforts of our ICT staff who got us
in Nepal and Dhaka, training of autopsy Over the past year, we continued to
these critical issues, but much remains Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy. connected and able to work from home
technicians in the Ukraine, and advice work closely and ever more productively
to be done. A measure of their interest almost immediately, and all our staff,
to the International Committee of the with our Southbank co-tenants, the
can be seen in the visits of both the Contributing to tissue- both here at Southbank and at home
Red Cross on the dignified management Coroners Court of Victoria. Together we
Attorney-General and the Secretary banking and the (often in very trying conditions) who are
of deaths, including those from COVID, have achieved improvements in death
of the DJCS to the VIFM and Donor development of forensic keeping the business of the Institute
and in other humanitarian disasters. investigation processes including a more
Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV) over going. This edition is a tribute to them.
science in Victoria and more efficient and family-friendly approach
the past year. It was a particular honour I do hope you enjoy reading about our
broadly Celebrating our people to cases where an elderly person dies
to welcome the Attorney-General to wild ride over the past six months.
celebrate with us the 30th Birthday following a fractured neck of femur.
Of course, the past year hasn’t all been This year also saw the launch at the This is a great example of what we
of the DTBV. A recent departmental Before closing I would like to pay
about that dreadful Virus. The DTBV, in Institute of Professor Kerry Breen’s can achieve together, with more to do
grant will allow us to complete a special tribute to one of the most
partnership with KT Medical, is bringing biography of one of the VIFM’s founding over the coming year. In the meantime
urgently needed works in the Coronial extraordinary people it has been my
its in-house developed technology, fathers, Professor Vern Plueckhahn. we have strong engagement with the
Admissions and Enquiries office and privilege to know and work with. Our
Cancellous Bone Matrix, to orthopaedic It was wonderful to have members Coroners Court and Victoria Police in a
mortuary, to improve working conditions colleague, Dr Melissa Baker, who lost
surgeons locally and interstate. Our of his family present to celebrate his cross-institutional and multi-disciplinary
and support staff safety. her battle with lymphoma at the start of
academic partnership with Monash extraordinary life right outside the approach to the Victorian and national 2020. A reflection on her remarkable life
University’s Department of Forensic lecture theatre named in his honour. tragedy of long term missing persons,
Managing an increasing is to be found elsewhere in this report.
Medicine continues to see enrolments Others too received due recognition which was a focus of last year’s annual
workload Finally, I would like to thank the VIFM
in the Master of Forensic Medicine for their service: Professor Stephen report. It was a particular honour to be Council and its chair The Honourable
program increase year on year and is Cordner was awarded the Public Service invited by the Court to participate in this
This year for the first time we exceeded John Coldrey AM QC, for once again
forging innovative research partnerships Medal and Dr Gerald Murphy (stalwart year’s NAIDOC celebrations, held in the
7000 deaths reported to the coroner guiding and strongly supporting us
in the field of Machine Learning. This of our regional Clinical Forensic Court foyer, and to be presented with
through our Coronial Admissions and through a very difficult time. Members
has previously unimagined applications Medicine service in the north of Victoria) a ceremonial didgeridoo made by the
Enquiries office. Given our steadily of Council and its subcommittees,
in research in the forensic medical received an Order of Australia Medal. artist Ross Morgan. It is intended that
increasing workloads in line with the Executive and Finance, and Audit
sciences, which in turn will significantly Professor Cordner was also made a this beautiful gift will grace the space
population increases and the pressure and Risk Management Committees
benefit the courts and justice system. Fellow of the Institute of International where we meet and deliberate, the
these impose on an already stretched (Chair: Professor Bob Conyers and his
Affairs, a fitting acknowledgment of Trevaks room. successor Mr Neil Robertson), the VIFM
workforce, I am also grateful for the An active research culture and his work over many years to improve Ethics Committee (Chair: Mr Stephen
support of the Attorney-General to fill engagement in teaching and training the practice of forensic pathology and Examples of the other agencies and Nossal), and Donor Tissue Bank
staffing gaps in the areas which are are critical to our work, and, overseen medicine around the globe. organisations we have worked with Committee, (Chair: Mr Tim Fitzmaurice)
particularly critical to our work as a front- by the Institute’s Academic Programs over the past year include: the Office all give most generously of their time
line community service – the Coronial Division, we have published nearly Public acknowledgement of their of Public Prosecutions in improving and expertise to keep the many diverse
Admissions and Enquiries office, the 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, achievements reflects wonderfully the contribution our experts can make areas of our operations flourishing.
mortuary, and in Forensic Pathology. and continued the delivery of lectures on the Institute and it also piques to the criminal trial process, the Peter Members of the VIFM’s Senior
Like other agencies dealing with to undergraduate students in law and the curiosity of the public about the MacCallum Cancer Centre through our Executive Group, the Chief Operating
emergent realities we cannot directly medicine, as well as to police and other scope of our work. So this year saw participation in the CASCADE cancer Officer Mari-Ann Scott, Deputy Directors
control the demand for our services, agencies and institutions. The VIFM the launch of the web series “Afterlife” research project, the Royal Melbourne David Ranson and Richard Bassed and
but we can and do strive to be the most was proud to have contributed to a by the Attorney-General, and VIFM’s and Royal Children’s Hospitals through Chief Finance Officer Peter Ford provide
responsive and reliable organisation we Law, Science and Medicine Summit, participation, with the Coroners Court, exploring and researching the genetic the leadership, sound judgement and
can be. This includes working closely convened by the Australian Academy of in a hypothetical investigation into the causes of sudden death, and Victoria collegiality that makes it a pleasure to
with the Coroners Court of Victoria, Forensic Sciences (Victorian Chapter) death of the pop-star Prince, streamed Police in diverse areas such as come to work each day. And finally to
Victoria Police and with health providers and launched by the Attorney-General live as part of the many activities roadside drug policing, research into all our managers and staff who make
to improve the efficiency of our death with the aim of improving the quality marking this year’s Law Week. the possibilities of forensic genealogy this Institute the exciting and supportive
investigation services, while balancing and reliability of expert evidence in for identification of the deceased place it is to work. Happy reading.
cultural and societal wishes with the criminal trials. The papers presented This year also saw the retirement of and improved approaches to the
imperatives of a quality-driven death at the summit were published in Associate Professor Morris Odell, Head management of sexual and other assault
investigation service. a special edition of the Australian of Clinical Forensic Medicine. Morris cases by our Clinical Forensic Medicine
Journal of Forensic Sciences. I am commenced at the VIFM in 1996, with service.
also very pleased to record that the an impressively diverse background
Monash University Department of in both engineering and general
14 15
Chief Operating great credit to our ICT team. Everyone Our other corporate services teams
have similarly ‘pivoted’ to adapt to new
financial year
was naturally nervous about how we » The VIFM has updated the OHS
Officer’s Report could manage our operations and have conditions: the Quality and Improvement
team ensured that modified processes
Managers Manual to include specific
the required staff members continue to references to wellbeing
Ms Mari-Ann Scott come into work safely given COVID- were documented and auditable in line » We supported a research project
19’s high levels of infectivity and with our accreditation requirements, into “Trauma exposure among staff
transmission. Given the specialised whilst helping to re-deploy some of employed at the VIFM and the
nature of our staff, a requirement to the operational staff who were working Coroners Court of Victoria” being
isolate a number of employees would from home for part of each week; HR conducted by the Department of
have significant impact on our service have handled increased pressures on Forensic Medicine, and
provision. One of the things we were the range of services they provide; » We employed more pathology,
able to do for our staff was to secure our finance team have managed to Coronial Admissions and Enquiries
parking on and around our site. I would maintain the complex accounting and mortuary staff to reduce work
like to thank the City of Melbourne needed to support the requirements of pressures.
and the State Emergency Service for a diverse workforce including medical
providing extra carparking during this specialists, as well as VPS staff and the I wish to thank all my corporate services
time. Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, which is staff for their wonderful efforts this year
effectively a bio-technology business, to maintain and improve the way we
Another logistical challenge for all whilst preparing complex costings support the important operations of
Corporate Services was to provide for our business case for additional the VIFM. We have certainly risen to
our operational staff with appropriate funding from the next State Budget. Our the challenge of COVID-19 and other
personal protective equipment (PPE). facilities team have managed the issues challenges.
This was a major challenge because of associated with maintaining security
the extreme shortages of PPE in Victoria and increased cleaning, as well as re-
and as a result our procurement staff development in parts of the building – an
teamed up with our senior policy officer extremely busy time.
to secure much-needed supplies and
equipment to ensure the uninterrupted A singular focus for this year has also
availability of essential PPE to protect been on embedding staff wellbeing
our people from infection. into our work culture. With the benefit
of government funding last year, and
Our Legal and Governance team before the advent of the COVID-19
applied their drafting skills to a range pandemic, we set to work on plans to
of tasks – from ministerial briefings to protect and enhance the wellbeing of all
helping operational managers translate our staff. We commenced by appointing
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary for a temporary body storage facility The additional challenges of this year the latest knowledge about virus Mr Jeff Lomas as Manager Mental
efforts and during this financial year the and body management system in the have underlined the complexity of our transmission to working instructions for Health and Wellbeing and then devised
COVID-19 pandemic has tested our event that the deaths from COVID-19 services and need for our corporate their staff; this is on top of dealing with a range of changes to the way we were
resilience and operational capability, exceeded the state’s limited capacity services staff to take up and manage the diverse legal issues that arise from supporting our staff. We knew, however,
as well as our support and logistical for the storage of the deceased. This multiple roles in an integrated way the unique nature of the work that we do that we needed a strong evidence base
services, and our broader corporate multi-agency group readied itself to to both maintain and improve on at the VIFM, which means that we often for our approach to wellbeing and to that
services. I have been especially proud support the State Control Centre and the corporate infrastructure that is ‘fall through the cracks’ of legislation and end we commissioned FBG Group to
of our people in rising to the multiple all lead agencies in the event that crucial to the support of the VIFM’s policy. undertake a detailed review of VIFM’s
challenges presented to us. the body storage management plan operations. We are fortunate to have staff mental health and wellbeing needs
was needed. In preparation the VIFM dedicated corporate services staff with and to help us develop a wellbeing
As an essential service for the state reviewed all operational requirements a deep knowledge of our operations The rapidly changing environment strategy to address VIFM’s specific
we kept our routine medico-legal death for establishing an additional body and an appreciation of their impact for required regular and accurate issues and concerns, to positively
investigation operations running and storage facility at the Southbank facility families, the justice systems and other communications to staff, which were promote staff wellbeing and to give
quickly adapted our clinical forensic as the first stage response. Our planning stakeholders. Their ‘can do’ attitude to posted to our Intranet and provided links people meaningful resources to support
medical services. We drew on our included the installation of three-phase pitching in and applying their skills to to definitive advice from government self-management.
30-year history of responding to local power on-site and the reservation of tasks as needed meant that with the on all aspects of how to manage in
and international disasters involving refrigerated containers. impact of COVID-19 we have made the context of the virus. Stakeholder We have achieved the following steps in
mass fatalities such as the Victorian many important changes to the way we communications were also supported the 2019-2020 financial year:
bushfires, the Boxing Day Tsunami and Thankfully, at the time of writing, the operate to keep our staff safe and to by corporate services drafting and
the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa enactment of our specialised skills in this maintain our productivity while working coordination. Our staff were very » The VIFM provided an FBG Group
to contribute to the State Government’s area has not been necessary; the policy from home. engaged and regularly provided Mental Health Training Program
preparedness for managing large and plans have stayed ‘on the page’ questions that we were able to respond for Managers in October 2019,
numbers of deaths. We worked closely and have not been operationalised. In March, as required by the State to by published FAQs. This information followed by a Mental Health
with the Department of Justice and We have nevertheless played our part Government, the VIFM moved all non- was complemented by the Director’s Training Program for Staff in March
Community Safety and Government in supporting the State Government’s operational staff into remote working weekly emails and monthly address to 2020.
and Emergency Management Victoria’s COVID-19 efforts by maintaining a roles. This required the diversion of all staff. We established a ‘Responsible » The VIFM has developed
Response Agency Taskforce as a constant state of readiness to rapidly significant ICT resources to set up new Officers Group’ that continues to meet a draft Mental Health and
key participant in a ‘Body Storage scale up our operations. systems to allow our staff to securely regularly to address issues that arise Wellbeing Strategy which will be
Working Group’. The Working Group’s access their work from home. This for staff working through the COVID-19 communicated in the 2020-2021
role was to advise on the planning happened smoothly within days, with pandemic.
16 17
Foundation
The Institute is established as a body corporate with perpetual succession by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Act 1985 (VIFM Act). The VIFM Act sets out the Institute’s objects, functions and powers which include: the provision
of forensic pathology and related services in Victoria; the provision of clinical forensic medicine and related services
to Victoria Police; the provision of tissue banking services; the provision of services in the investigation of a death
reported to the coroner; the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate training in forensic pathology, medicine and
science; and conducting research in the fields of forensic pathology, medicine and science.
The VIFM Council
The VIFM Act provides that the governing body of the Institute is the VIFM Council. The Council may regulate its own
proceedings and the Council Charter provides the framework for its governance. As a Victorian Public Sector Entity,
the VIFM operates in accordance with the provisions of Part 5 of the Public Administration Act 2004 and the Financial
Management Act 1994.
Council Composition Council Committees
The VIFM Act provides that the Council comprises 13 The Council has four committees to ensure compliance with
members. The members of Council, other than the Director legislative, accreditation and other regulatory requirements:
and the State Coroner, are appointed by Governor-in-Council. » The Executive and Finance Committee
The Attorney-General appoints the Chairperson. The members
of the Council are: » The Audit and Risk Management Committee
Corporate
» the Director of the Institute (ex officio) » The VIFM Ethics Committee
» the State Coroner (ex officio) » The Donor Tissue Bank Committee
Governance
» a nominee of the Council of the University of Melbourne The composition and terms of reference of these committees
is included in Appendix C.
» a nominee of the Council of Monash University
» a nominee of the Minister for the time being administering
the Health Services Act 1988
Fellows of
» a nominee of the Minister for the time being administering
the Victoria Police Act 2013
» a nominee of the Chief Justice
» two nominees of the Attorney-General, at least one of
whom is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of
the VIFM
Australasia
VIFM acknowledges the Fellows of the VIFM:
» a nominee of the Chief Commissioner of Police
» a nominee of the Minister for the time being administering » Profesor Robert Conyers
Part II of the Community Services Act 1970
» (The late) The Honourable John Phillips AC QC
» a nominee of the Minister for the time being responsible
for women’s affairs in Victoria, and; » (The late) Professor Vernon Plueckhahn AO, OBE
» (The late) Professor Graeme Schofield OBE
» one other person who has knowledge of, or experience in,
accountancy or financial management.
» Dr Gad Trevaks AM
The Executive Officer to Council is the VIFM’s Chief Operating
» The Honourable Marilyn Warren AC QC
Officer.
18 19VIFM Council
The Honourable John Coldrey AM QC Professor Noel Woodford His Honour Judge John Cain Ms Tracy Beaton
Council Chairman Ex Officio Council Member Ex Officio Council Member Council Member
Nominee of the Attorney General Executive and Finance Committee Member State Coroner Nominee of the Minister for Community Services
Ethics Committee Member
Director VIFM Judge John Cain was appointed State Coroner in October Ms Tracy Beaton is the Chief Practitioner and Executive
Since becoming a barrister in 1966 John Coldrey has 2019 and commenced in the role in December 2019. Prior Director of the Office of Professional Practice at the
contributed to many different areas of the legal profession Professor Noel Woodford is the Director of the VIFM, a to this he was Victoria’s Solicitor for Public Prosecutions Department of Health and Human Services. She leads the
throughout Australia. Following his appointment as the position he has held since July 2014. He first joined the VIFM since November 2015. Judge Cain completed a Bachelor Office to promote and safeguard the rights, best interest
Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria in 1984 he became in 1998 as a Fellow in Forensic Pathology, after training in of Economics and a Bachelor of Law at Monash University and quality of life of vulnerable Victorians through practice
a Justice of the Victorian Supreme Court in 1991 where anatomical pathology at the Alfred and Royal Melbourne before completing the Legal Professional Services Firm
he served until 2008. He was also active in the Northern Hospitals. In 2000 he worked as a senior lecturer in forensic course at Harvard Business School in 2010. leadership and development. Tracy provides expert advice,
Territory where in his role as the Director of Legal Services pathology at the University of Sheffield, returning to the consultation and leadership to review of complex cases,
for the Central Land Council he was involved in the grant of VIFM in 2003. In 2008 Noel was appointed Head of Forensic His legal career began at Maurice Blackburn in 1982, where impacting children and families in child protection, and others
Aboriginal title to Uluru as well conducting Aboriginal land Pathology. he was appointed a partner in 1987 and then Managing in need of human services.
claims and negotiating major industry agreements with the Partner from 1991 to 2002. Between 2002 and 2006, Judge
Northern Territory Government and mining companies. He is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Pathologists of Cain was CEO of the Law Institute of Victoria and became the
Australasia and the Royal College of Pathologists (UK). He Victorian Government Solicitor in 2006 until 2011, after which
John Coldrey has written numerous major conference holds the Diploma of Medical Jurisprudence from the Society he became Managing Partner at Herbert Geer (now Thomson
papers and legal publications relating to the operation of the of Apothecaries of London, and gained a Master of Laws Geer).
criminal law. He has been a member of various committees from Cardiff University during his time in the UK. Noel is an
and councils including chairing the Consultative Committee examiner for the RCPA and RANZCR and vice-chair of the Judge Sara Hinchey stepped down as State Coroner in August
on Police Powers of Investigation. In 2004, John Coldrey Forensic Pathology Advisory Committee of the College. Noel 2019.
was awarded the Gold Medal of the International Society for has a particular interest in sudden unexpected natural adult
Reform of Criminal Law (of which he is a Board member) in death and the application of radiological techniques in forensic Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English was the Acting State
recognition of his contribution towards criminal law reform. He pathology. Coroner until December 2019.
is an Honorary Life Member of the Criminal Bar Association of
Victoria and has served as a judicial member of the Forensic
Leave Panel and the Adult Parole Board of Victoria.
In 2011 the Victorian Bar Council created ‘Coldrey Chambers’
– a set of barristers’ chambers named in his honour. In 2013
John Coldrey was made an Honorary Fellow of Monash
University. In 2019 John Coldrey was appointed as a Member
(AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for
significant service to the law and to the judiciary, to legal
reform, and to the community. He joined the VIFM Council
in 2008.
20 21Professor Glenn Bowes AO Associate Professor Merrole Cole-Sinclair Professor Robert Conyers Mr Luke Cornelius APM
Nominee of the Council of the University of Melbourne Nominee of the Attorney-General Nominee of the Attorney-General Nominee of the Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police
Executive and Finance Committee Chairman Member, Donor Tissue Bank Committee
Audit and Risk Management Committee Chairman
Professor Glenn Bowes is Associate Dean (Advancement) Associate Professor Cole-Sinclair completed BSc (Hons) & Retired November 2019
and a Professor of Paediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine, MBBS degrees at the University of Melbourne in 1981 and Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius is Victoria Police’s
Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne. then trained at The Royal Melbourne and Alfred Hospitals in longest serving Assistant Commissioner. He joined Victoria
He completed his medical degree and PhD at Monash clinical and laboratory haematology, gaining her FRACP & Professor Bob Conyers is a graduate in medicine, science, Police in 2003, following 14 years’ service as a federal agent
University and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of FRCPA. research and business. He undertook his medical specialist, with the Australian Federal Police. A qualified solicitor and
Toronto. Glenn was Director of Respiratory Services at the pathologist training in Sydney becoming a Fellow of the Royal barrister, AC Cornelius’ first appointment with Victoria Police
Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he developed Australia’s She was a Clinical Research Fellow at Department of College of Pathologists of Australasia. He was awarded a was as Commander, Legal Services Department.
first adult cystic fibrosis program in the early 1980s. He was Academic Haematology at the Royal Free Hospital 1991-1993 Nuffield Medical Fellowship at Oxford University to undertake
recruited to Australia’s premiere children’s hospital, the Royal and then spent 15 years at the Alfred Hospital as initially a research into the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and He was promoted to Assistant Commissioner, in charge of
Children’s Hospital Melbourne, in the early 1990’s to establish fulltime staff specialist then Head, Haematology Unit at the gained his Doctor of Philosophy degree there. He has held the Ethical Standards Department (now called Professional
the nation’s first clinical, academic program in youth health, Alfred Pathology Service until joining St. Vincent’s Pathology the positions of: Senior Consultant Pathologist and Head Standards Command), in 2005. He went on to lead Southern
the Centre for Adolescent Health, and become the inaugural as Head, Laboratory Haematology in 2008. She is an of the Metabolic Research Group at the Institute of Medical Metro Region before heading up Victoria Police’s response
to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights
Professor of Adolescent Health at the University of Melbourne. honorary adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of and Veterinary Science, Adelaide; Director of Biochemistry,
Commission Review into sex discrimination and sexual
During 16 years at the Royal Children’s Hospital campus Pathology, University of Melbourne and also in the Department Alfred Hospital and Head of the Cardiac Metabolic Laboratory,
harassment.
Glenn held a range of executive leadership roles including of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at Monash Baker Medical Research Institute; Executive Director of His distinguished service to policing, both federally and in
Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director and more recently University. Her professional interests include diagnostic Pathology for the North West Health Care Network (which Victoria, was officially recognised in the 2010 Australia Day
Stevenson Professor of Paediatrics and Head of Department haematology, transfusion practice and research, clinical quality included pathology services at Royal Melbourne and Western Honours when he was awarded the Australian Police Medal
of Paediatrics. improvement and teaching and training of junior medical staff. Hospitals); Executive (Group) Medical Director for the (APM) for contribution to police reform, the promotion of
Gribbles Group in Australasia; and Clinical Director, Chemical ethics and integrity in policing, human rights, engagement with
Glenn has been a board member of many organisations She is presently a council member of the National Pathology Pathology - Victoria, St John of God Pathology. vulnerable communities and for capacity building in East Timor.
committed to serving children and young people. These Accreditation Advisory Council of the Commonwealth of
include Mentone Grammar, President and Camp Chief of a Australia and has previously held the roles of the Chief Bob has held senior positions on major hospital committees, He has also been awarded the National Police Service Medal,
youth leadership development organisation, Lord Somers Examiner in Haematology, Chair of the Haematology Advisory in professional and scientific associations, and on peak National Medal, Police Overseas Service Medal, United
Camp and Power House, and an elected member of the Committee and Board member of the RCPA and Chair of the government advisory committees in relation to diagnostic Nations Medal for service in East Timor and a Commissioner’s
Council of the University of Melbourne. He is currently a Joint Specialist Advisory Committee on Haematology (RACP/ pathology and animal welfare. He has been a non-executive Commendation for outstanding service while serving with the
Board Director of St Michael’s Grammar School. He was RCPA) and the Transfusion Outcomes Research Collaborative director on the Council of the Royal College of Pathologists United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor.
appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of (Monash University and the Blood Service, Australian Red of Australasia and on the Board of the Australian Medical
Australia (AO) in 2016 for his distinguished service to medical Cross). Association of Victoria. He is an Adjunct Professor in the The founding Chief Executive Officer of the Police Federation
education and its administration, to the advancement of child Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, of Australia, he also served as the National Secretary of the
health and welfare, and through contributions to government Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University. Australian Federal Police Association. AC Cornelius is a member
and professional organisations. of the Victoria Police Command and is the Chief Commissioner’s
Bob’s metabolic and nutritional research has been into representative on the Blue Ribbon Foundation Board.
oxalate kidney stones, cancer wasting, energy metabolism
in sports, and metabolic support of the heart in surgery and AC Cornelius holds a Masters of Public Administration: Executive
transplantation. He holds a Masters degree in Business (Monash), an Honours Degree in Law: First Class (Flinders), a
Leadership and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ANU) and is admitted to
Company Directors. He has been made a Fellow of the practice in the ACT Supreme Court. In April 2019, AC Cornelius
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and a Fellow of the was appointed Assistant Commissioner, North West Metro
Australian Medical Association. Region.
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