Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Can Now Own Property and Share Research Data
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Bill 2024
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
child protection clinical forensic services coronial process criminal justice death investigation forensic medicine forensic science human tissue information sharing law enforcement privacy public health +7 more
Introduced by: The Hon Anthony Carbines MP (ALP); The Hon Jaclyn Symes MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
There will now be a board responsible for overseeing the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). The board is granted clear powers, such as establishing stakeholder advisory groups and engaging outside experts or consultants to help guide VIFM's operations
Updated laws allowing for more data sharing means that forensic data, such as DNA analysis and toxicology results, can be processed and shared quickly in urgent cases that require immediate legal and medical intervention
VIFM will be required to provide 24/7 services and to ensure services are available in regional Victoria.
VIFM will continue to provide forensic medical services for legal processes, such as conducting autopsies and toxicology tests for cases referred by the State Coroner, and aiding police investigations, particularly through forensic examinations of victims and suspects?
The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, housed within VIFM, will still facilitate tissue transplants.
The Institute can share information with people or groups doing research or developing policy, provided it complies with established privacy and confidentiality guidelines and has a written agreement to ensure the information is used correctly and does not harm any criminal or coronial investigations.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is established as a legal entity. This lets the Institute own property and sue or be sued in court.
The Institute can collect, use, and share information about individuals to carry out its official duties.
The Institute can use information about individuals for research. It must not do this if it could harm a criminal investigation or a coronial investigation.
Before using or sharing information that relates to a criminal or coronial investigation, the Institute must notify the Chief Commissioner of Police or the State Coroner in writing.
People are allowed to give information to the Institute when it is requested for the Institute's official work.
If a child's death is reviewable, the Institute can assess and report on any living siblings of that child.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985 is replaced by this new Act.