Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - VIFM

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - VIFM The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Expert Forensics | Family Health | Compassionate Care

Expert Forensics | Family Health | Compassionate Care

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine provides forensic pathology, forensic science and mortuary services, and supports families with compassionate care. We turn evidence into insights that informs justice, protects communities and advances public healthcare.

Jersey Day at VIFM! 🏉💙The VIFM and DTBV teams have pulled on their favourite jerseys today to honour Nathan Gremmo and h...
04/09/2026

Jersey Day at VIFM! 🏉💙

The VIFM and DTBV teams have pulled on their favourite jerseys today to honour Nathan Gremmo and his incredible legacy.

Nathan was just 13 when he became an organ donor, saving six lives. His family created Jersey Day so we can keep the conversation about organ and tissue donation going.

And we have to ask… is Jane’s dog a Doggies fan? 🐶💙❤️** 😂

Tag one of the team if you recognise them! And, please consider becoming an organ and tissue donor by registering today.

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. 💜Overdose deaths are preventable. Drugs can contain unexpected and highly...
31/08/2026

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. 💜

Overdose deaths are preventable. Drugs can contain unexpected and highly potent substances, making it impossible to know exactly what you’re taking.

Victoria’s Pill Testing Service provides information about what’s in a sample and connects people with harm-reduction advice. It's located at 95 Brunswick Street Fitzroy, and in In its first year of operation, the service has become a trusted source of information, advice and support, helping thousands of Victorians make safer, more informed choices.

Knowing more can help reduce harm. Knowledge can save lives.

Today we remember those we’ve lost and work towards preventing future deaths.

Purple, sausages and good company! 💜🌭Today, VIFM and Coroners Court of Victoria staff came together in our shared courty...
27/08/2026

Purple, sausages and good company! 💜🌭

Today, VIFM and Coroners Court of Victoria staff came together in our shared courtyard for a Wear Purple BBQ, hosted by our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

It was a fun afternoon of food, laughs and connection, while showing our support for young people and the important work Wear Purple represents.

Thanks to everyone who brought the purple spirit! 💜🙌

Here's VIFM's Forensic Pathologist A/Prof Dr Linda Iles at the International Convention of Forensic Medicine and Science...
26/08/2026

Here's VIFM's Forensic Pathologist A/Prof Dr Linda Iles at the International Convention of Forensic Medicine and Sciences 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia last month. Linda had a busy conference, leading a full day pre-convention workshop, presenting the opening plenary “𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆" and joining other international and Malaysian speakers presenting on varied aspects of paediatric forensic practice.

A great contribution from Linda, highlighting the value of knowledge sharing across the Asia-Pacific region, and showcasing how forensic medicine isn't only about understanding deaths that have already occurred - it's also about learning from them to help prevent deaths in the future.

Thank you Peter Ford for 19 years at VIFM!Our CFO Peter Ford retired last Friday after 19 years at the VIFM, and we than...
26/08/2026

Thank you Peter Ford for 19 years at VIFM!

Our CFO Peter Ford retired last Friday after 19 years at the VIFM, and we thank Peter so much for everything he has done and for being a wonderful colleague and friend. There were plenty of tears and laughter at his farewell morning tea last week, with a very touching tribute from Mari-Ann ("I sometimes think she knows me as well as my wife Cathy.") Peter shared his fondest memories of his time at VIFM and his affection for his team and colleagues shone through.

We know how excited you are for the future, and we know you won't miss those 3.30am alarm calls so much.

"Thank you, I will miss you all" - Peter Ford former CFO at VIFM.

We will miss you more. Happy retirement Peter.

10/08/2026

Giving Names to Numbers. Join us for this FREE event.

We’re excited to welcome Dr Soren Blau, former VIFM alumna and now Head of Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), for the 2026 Graeme Schofield Oration.

Soren’s keynote will explore the challenges of identifying missing people on a global scale - and how forensic science can help turn numbers into names.

📍 National Gallery of Victoria
📅 6pm, Thursday 29 October 2026
🎟️ Public lecture — FREE entry (tickets must be booked in advance)

Want to keep the conversation going? Join us for the Graeme Schofield Oration Banquet Dinner after the lecture — $225 per person.

👉 Register for tickets via the VIFM website.
https://www.vifm.org/teaching-research/2026-graeme-schofield-oration-and-dinner/

08/08/2026

95 years after he disappeared, we finally knew his name.

In 2017, human remains were discovered near Sandy Point.

For VIFM’s Human Identification Services team, the work began to establish who they belonged to.

Through forensic anthropology, DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating, historical research and ultimately Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), the remains were identified as Christopher Luke Moore - a 29-year-old farmer and First World War veteran who drowned at Waratah Bay in 1928.

It’s one example of the lengths our Human Identification Services team goes to identify unknown human remains and long-term missing persons.

Watch Dr Sam Rowbotham, Senior Forensic Anthropologist and Manager, Human Identification Services, discuss the Sandy Point case and the work behind Christopher’s identification.

Sometimes, finding the answer means looking back generations.

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If you'd like to hear more from Dr Sam Rowbotham, she'll be co-hosting our dinner Q&A with keynote speaker Dr Soren Blau AM at the 2026 Graeme Schofield Oration, proudly brought to you by the VIFM and Monash University on 29 October 2026 at the NGV in Melbourne.

Read more about our FREE public lecture and banquet dinner here: https://www.vifm.org/teaching-research/2026-graeme-schofield-oration-and-dinner/
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05/08/2026

He is still unknown.

More than two decades after his remains were discovered in Victoria, the man known as the Purple Scarf Man has never been identified. Our forensic team know this man by just one identifying feature: a purple scarf.

This is a desperately sad cold case.

As part of National Missing Persons Week , we're sharing our former VIFM Senior Anthropologist Dr Soren Blau AM reflecting on the Purple Scarf Man case and the meticulous work involved in identifying unknown human remains. Today, Dr Blau leads the Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology Division at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), supporting efforts to identify missing people around the world.

If you'd like to hear more from Dr Blau, she'll be returning to Melbourne on 29 October 2026 to deliver VIFM's 2026 Graeme Schofield Oration, sharing insights from her remarkable career at the forefront of humanitarian forensic science. Read more about our FREE public lecture here: https://www.vifm.org/teaching-research/2026-graeme-schofield-oration-and-dinner/

International Commission on Missing Persons - ICMP The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre

04/08/2026

This , we acknowledge the thousands of families across Australia living with the uncertainty of a missing loved one.

At the VIFM, one of our specialist roles is helping identify unidentified human remains. It is work we wish was never needed, but it is an important part of helping resolve long-term missing persons investigations and providing answers to families.

Using advances in forensic science and technology, we continue to revisit cases, sometimes years or even decades after remains were first recovered., working closely with the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and forensic partners across Australia to ensure every possible avenue for identification is explored.

Our work has contributed to a number of significant long-term missing persons investigations, including the identification of the remains of Daniel Morcombe who had been abducted from the Sunshine Coast in 2003. After years of searching - human bones were found in bushland in the Sunshine Coast in 2011. A few months later, and thanks to a cross border investigation which included the VIFM, DNA results confirm the human bones belong to Daniel Morcombe.

Watch our Manager of Molecular Biology, Dr Dadna Hartman talk about the lab's work during the investigation - in a video interview that we recorded a few years after the investigation and murder trial in 2014.

This is work we hope is never needed - but when it is, we remain committed to finding answers, no matter how much time has passed.


The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre Australian Federal Police Victoria Police

Here’s beautiful Willow again, and today we wanted to reveal the vast amount of people whose lives have been impacted by...
30/07/2026

Here’s beautiful Willow again, and today we wanted to reveal the vast amount of people whose lives have been impacted by her eye and tissue donations. Willow donated cornea, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves to the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria following her death in 2021.

Thanks to Willow and mum Tara’s generosity, Willow's eye and tissue donations have helped 49 people.

A truly remarkable outcome.

Here’s how Willow has helped these 49 recipients:

➡️ Both corneas were successfully transplanted to two recipients who are now doing very well. Willow's donation would allow these recipients to see again.
➡️ Donated skin tissue was transplanted to 5 different recipients suffering from severe burns, and this would have dramatically helped them in the healing and recovery process
➡️ Both Willows heart valves were transplanted to 2 children, which would have been life saving for them.
➡️ Willow has helped an incredible 32 recipients with her bone donation. These donations can restore mobility, reduce pain, and help someone to walk, heal and return to normal function.
➡️ Willow also donated tendons which helped 8 recipients with reconstructive surgeries due to sports injuries.

Tara is Willow’s mum and has kindly agreed to share Willow’s story in the hope that it will help others in considering becoming a tissue donor.

We hope that sharing the impact of Willow’s donation has brought Tara and her family some comfort, knowing that we are all very proud of and grateful to Willow and her generosity.

This Week, please take a moment to register as an organ and tissue donor, and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could one day help save or transform someone's life, just as Willow's generous gift has done.

Join the register today ➡️: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today


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Please remember, help is available.

If you or anyone you know needs support for mental health : Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and su***de prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or to chat online.

If you or anyone you know needs support with depression or anxiety: Beyond Blue is available on 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or to chat online.

Address

65 Kavanagh Street Southbank
Melbourne, VIC
3006

Telephone

+61396844444

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