24 June 2009

A world first for Dundee masters programme

The Forensic Art and Medical Art students will graduate at 10am on Thursday, June 25th, 2009.

The first batch of forensic artists who studied on a masters programme, reckoned to be the first of its kind in the world, will graduate from the University of Dundee next week.

Four students will receive their MSc Forensic Art qualification, while one of their peers will receive their MSc in Medical Art, after completing an intensively taught one year masters course which combines science and art.

Medical Art is the depiction of anatomy, medical science, pathology and surgery. This may include medical images, models or animations for use in education, training of medical professionals, advertising, marketing and publishing.

Forensic Art presents visual information via illustration, sculpture, animation and other computer applications as they relate to legal procedures. It encompasses a wide range of subjects, notably facial anthropology and identification through facial reconstruction, post-mortem depiction, composite art and age progression.

The students get a broad range of comprehensive tuition within their respective fields. Many students may choose to specialise within either Forensic or Medical Art, but will have had the opportunity to explore all aspects within their chosen field.

While both degrees will attract students who wish to become freelance practitioners, they will also have a skill set applicable to working with police forces, the NHS, or private firms within the discipline.

Greg Mahoney, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Art at the University, says Dundee is leading the world in establishing these programmes in response to the clear need for teaching to bridge the gap between undergraduate courses and increasingly complex areas of work.

'These are very unique courses, with the Forensic Art MSc being the first of its kind, and the Medical Art MSc being one of a very few available in Europe,' he said. 'Any professional working in the fields of Forensic Art or Medical Art will acknowledge the quality and comprehensiveness of this programme.'

'We have provided the students with a knowledge base that would take many years to acquire while working professionally. The graduates are more trained, more versatile and have received a greater depth of training within these one year MSc programmes, than anyone else out there in the early stages of their careers.'

'We teach a wide range of practical and classroom-based courses. It is the provision of such modules as medico-legal ethics that help shape them as professionals. Students coming out of the courses will be well prepared for the world of work, and will certainly be thinking about the choices they make as professionals.'

'Whilst they get a comprehensive grounding in forensic art and medical art, the students can also choose to specialise in one specific area, such as facial reconstruction, forensic facial composites, or 3D modelling for example.'

The Centre for Forensic and Medical Art is a dynamic collaboration between the College of Life Sciences and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. It is at the forefront of research with widespread applications in the fields of human identification, archaeological investigation, medical illustration and museum and media exhibition.

Perhaps best know for its work in facial reconstruction - the process of rebuilding a face from the skull - the Unit also undertakes related research in facial recognition, anthropology, anthropometry and taphonomy.

Greg continued, 'The first cohort had all obtained their first degree in Fine Art, and they coped with the science side of things exceptionally well.'

'There will be between 10 and 15 working on their masters in either Forensic Art or Medical Art next year, and we will have our first international students, after receiving applications from India, Canada and South Korea. We will also welcome more students from a scientific, rather than purely art-based background.'

'Having a lot of different cultures and viewpoints represented is exciting as it helps us examine issues relating to forensic and medical arts across the world.'

'Forensic and Medical Arts are developing all the time, and will be enhanced by further study. Some of the graduates may well return to Dundee to take up research posts because they really have the potential to take this field forward.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk