AGM and Free Forensic Update Seminar
August 8, 2011
The IAFR AGM was held on Saturday 3rd September 2011 at St Bartholomew's Hospital London at 12:30pm. A mini-seminar featuring update lectures on topics of forensic interest preceded the meeting starting at 10am. The seminar was free to all IAFR members.
The first lecture was Blowflies, Beetles & Bugs; The role of forensic entomology. This was presented by Dr Amoret Whittaker Forensic Entomologist who reviewed some of her doctoral research and recounted details of her work at the body farm in Tennessee. The analysis of insect activity to aid determination of times of death was fascinating. The potential pitfalls of such analysis, included the fact that a large mass of blowfly larvae keep a body warm at night. Those who thought that they could ditch their electric blanket were convinced otherwise by the accompanying images!
Forensic Radiology; From Coroner to Criminal - Dr Curtis Offiah, Lead Forensic Radiologist, Royal London Hospital, recounted his experience of reporting forensic images and giving evidence in court. He made clear the increasing importance of cross-sectional imaging and the relative merits of CT and MR. The use of 3D reconstructions as exhibits in cases where photographic evidence was unacceptable was an interesting point. Dr. Offiah would recommend the availability of plain film, CT and MR for forensic cases, but recognised that this was unlikely in a less than ideal world!
Forensic Radiography; Education & Training - the future - Mrs Emily Faircloth, Chair, IAFR, gave a brief account of the current availability of education and training and pointed out how far this had developed over recent years. Post graduate qualification is now available, and practical training eventshave been organised as funding and time permitted. However availability is limited and restricted by the fact that much is organised by volunteers in their own time. She took this opportunity to unveil the fact that funding is now in place to develop comprehensive e-learning packages. Work on a variety of modules has already begun and they represent an exciting step forward into the near future.
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