The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila announced it will begin offering its Forensic Master's Program in the next academic year, focusing on a systematic approach to victim identification during disasters.

Experts from Australia's Monash University and UP Manila's College of Medicine jointly developed the curriculum for the new master's program after signing a memorandum of agreement in October last year.

The new postgraduate degree integrates existing forensic medicine courses from Monash University that were tailored to the Philippine context to address the country's distinct forensic challenges.

“We're conducting the training here in the Philippines and we'll be sending forensic doctors from Australia and other countries around the world,” Dr. Richard Bassed, Deputy Director and Head of the Academic Programs of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine of Monash University, said in a press briefing at the College of Medicine at UP Manila.

“We'll spend a month at a time here supervising and training the students as they go through the master's program…and this program will deliver that to the Filipino doctors for the Philippine society in the hope that we can generate a death investigation pathway or system that provides independent and evidence-based reports and testimony to courts for the satisfaction of justice,” Bassed added.

Dr. Stephen Cordner, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Forensic Medicine of Monash University, meanwhile, emphasized how forensic medicine could improve the country’s justice system and public safety by enhancing death investigations through accurate identification and evaluation of persons supposedly involved in crimes.

There are only two trained forensic psychologists in the country, Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Cecilia Lim, with the former set to retire next year.

The new postgraduate training assures the availability of experts who can help in disaster operations, particularly in the identification of bodies and in conducting criminal investigations, according to UP Manila.

Fortun said she considers the upcoming course as an important milestone not just for UP Manila but for the justice system in the country.

“Once upon a time, we gave the Forensic Science Institute a move… but it never really took off,” Fortun said. “The stars have aligned. Now, we have support from the Office of the President."

On January 22, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an administrative order creating a technical working group for the establishment of a National Forensics Institute, with experts from UP Manila playing a key role.

This initiative underscores the government’s recognition of the crucial role forensic medicine plays in the country’s justice system and public health.

"Years from now, when the impact of a strong, science-based forensic system is felt by families affected by mass casualty disasters, by victims seeking justice, or when the wrongly accused is cleared, we will look back and remember that it all began when UP and Monash University dared to push the boundaries of forensic science,” UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee said.

“This is the time when the Philippines and Australia stood together, proving that the vast ocean between us is no barrier to a shared mission for truth and justice.”

The postgraduate program is set to begin in August.