Research
As part of its research strategy, the department has established three research groups based on the department's core competences within the area of forensic medicine research. The group’s work is described on the department's website.
Section for Forensic Imaging and Osteology
http://forens.au.dk/en/research/section-of-forensic-imaging-and-osteology/
Section for Clinical Forensic Science
http://forens.au.dk/en/research/section-of-clinical-forensic-science/
Bioanalytical unit
http://forens.au.dk/en/research/bioanalytical-section/
The three research units have got off to a good start, and the department's financial prioritisation of the three research areas has resulted in the establishment of a strong research environment consisting of academic staff, PhDs and postdocs. The scientific
production is increasing and there is continuing focus on developing research competences and reputations to attract major external funding. Though, competition for external research funding has intensified in recent years. The department continues to prioritise the research areas and will continue to provide support for research projects within the areas over the next three years.
Education
During past years, the department has undertaken a reorganisation of the teaching into English, as the course in forensic medicine is to be offered as part of the international semester from the autumn of 2016. The internationalisation of the teaching has been a challenge, among other things because forensic medicine is closely related to Danish legislation, which is different from legislation in other countries.
The department has also prepared new further and continuing education courses for the police, the Danish CPS, defence lawyers, health professionals, health inspectors and others who are involved in the field of forensic medicine. The “Basic course in Forensic Medicine"
will be offered for the first time in the autumn 2016 semester.
The department has been working on the development of an interdisciplinary course in forensic chemistry (advanced organic analytical chemistry) to be offered to students at both
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Health and Science and Technology. The course will be utilised to increase awareness of forensic chemistry among the students, both as a possible future workplace, but also as a possible research area for talented students.
Talent development
One of the department’s objectives is to build an attractive research environment for the PhD students. This has been a success and the department now has more research students than ever before. The department has also improved the physical facilities for students, so there are now workplaces for all active researchers with longer term affiliation to the department.
The department continues to work to attract more foreign research students.
Knowledge exchange
The majority of the department's tasks (70 per cent of its revenue) still relate to public sector consultancy for the Danish police. A reform of the financial basis of the department's public sector consultancy was carried out in 2015. This has led to an annual reduction of the
resources allocated. The department is therefore conducting an ongoing rationalisation of its public sector consultancy. This work will continue over the coming years. During the last few years, the Danish police have furthermore also altered priorities in connection with the influx of refugees and the terror situation in Denmark, and this has to some extent impacted the demand for forensic medicine services.
As a result of the increasing decline in funding from the police, the department has carried out an active strategy to implement partnerships with new national and international
government agencies and institutions, companies and research groups. This work is currently one of the department's most important priorities and has resulted in increased specific collaboration relating to income-generating activities. However, many of the department's employees are unaccustomed to such proactive work. Neither is there yet a targeted strategy for how to initiate or select activities.
Three selected, strategic challenges for which the department wishes sparring and advice from the Advisory Board
1. How can the department’s staff become better at entering into new alliances with both external and internal research groups? External networking often arises in connection with participation in conferences, workshops and courses within the specific fields of research. The internal networking across the faculties and even departments can, however, be improved. Which initiatives can be implemented so that employees internally at AU find one another in new constructive contexts? How can employees be motivated to participate in such networking activities?
2. The Department of Forensic Medicine wishes to have more collaboration with external companies and government agencies and institutions. However, this requires a change in our own and our employees’ culture and mentality, so we think in a more outgoing and inclusive manner with regard to business collaboration. How can we alter researchers’ traditional culture, so that our employees think in a more outgoing
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3. The Department of Forensic Medicine wishes to enter into new contexts for the benefit of society. Where does the Advisory Board see possibilities for bringing forensic medicine and forensic chemical competences into play in the future? Are the Advisory Board aware of collaborations from their own institutions where forensic medical knowledge is applied in new ways?
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