The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine provides independent forensic medical and scientific services to support the justice system. It works with the families of the deceased, victims of violence, police, the courts and other Australian and international jurisdictions.

While a statutory government agency with a core function to investigate the cause of death, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine also operates as the Department of Forensic Medicine in partnership with Monash University, and houses the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria providing tissue for transplantation.

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine provides the following functions and services:

• Forensic pathology, scientific and human identification services for all reportable deaths within Victoria
• Clinical forensic medicine services which involve the examination and first line treatment of victims of crime, alleged perpetrators and police detainees; including fitness to be interviewed assessments
• Disaster victim identification services in response to emergencies and mass fatality events, such as bushfires, both in Victoria and upon request within Australia and internationally
• Support to families traversing the coronial system including assistance throughout a death investigation and genetic counselling services
• Toxicology analyses on behalf of Victoria Police from samples collected from drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or drivers injured in accident
• Data intelligence to inform government policy in regard to reportable deaths, illicit drugs, and drug and alcohol road policing and safety strategies
• Expert opinions to courts and other jurisdictions
• Consultancy and forensic services to other jurisdictions world-wide
• Missing persons identification services using DNA recovery and analysis
• Tissue banking including the retrieval, processing and distribution of life-saving skin and cardiac tissue, or life-enhancing bone and tendon grafts for transplantation
• Education and training services for forensic scientists and practitioners, police, medical students and nurses in partnership with Monash University
• Research programs which contribute to the international body of forensic medical and scientific knowledge.

The design of the upgrades at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is underway. The new reception area for the Coronial Admissions and Enquiries space has been conceptualised and can be viewed below.

The design and planning work underway includes:

• Upgrades to the mortuary and electrical infrastructure to support new imaging equipment
• Installation of new imaging equipment
• Improvements to mortuary and office spaces to support staff wellbeing
• Enhanced visitor spaces for families.

As part of the design process, extensive consultation with the facility operators and end users is underway.

Following an initial survey of the facility, CSBA are utilising digital technology to allow end-users to conceptualise the new spaces.

Following completion of the concept design, the detailed design phase is in progress.