“So, in a way we are the translators that allow the dead to speak to the living and give them a voice in terms of what their death and life mean for generations to come…” Associate Professor David Ranson, deputy Director, VIFM.
A ground breaking new social media initiative, Afterlife, which takes audiences on an incredible on-line journey to see what happens in the first 24 hours after sudden, unexpected or suspicious death, was launched today by Victorian Attorney General Jill Hennessy today.
The 10 part web series tells the stories of real life medical detectives and death scene investigators from the Coroners Court of Victoria and Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) whose work is literally a matter of life and death.
Afterlife takes viewers on location and inside a scene rarely seen – but one about which there is constant speculation and intrigue – at the internationally renowned leading forensic and coronial services facility, and provides access to experts involved in helping to solve high profile crime scene, natural disaster deaths and other deadly incidents and situations.
In a TV lifestyle type format, Afterlife is presented by True Crime podcaster Meshel Laurie, and award -winning actor Catherine Mc Clements. The series explores what value there is in a death for the community and how the dead speak to the living.
In a world where the community is fascinated by all things forensic, Afterlife will help to demystify ‘the city morgue’ tag, lift the lid on the ‘CSI Effect’ and put viewers in the witness box.
The innovative new web series also explores the work of the innovative Coroner’s Prevention Unit and other divisions conducting death prevention research.
This has paved the way for world leading public health and safety initiatives and legislation that have saved numerous lives in a variety of areas, including compulsory seat belts, swimming pool barriers, domestic violence, nursing home facilities, farm equipment, drink-driving, bike helmets, and most recently circumstances in ice and opioids epidemic deaths.
“I am thrilled to launch this new web series Afterlife because it will help to educate the public on the vital role that our forensic and coronial services play in the administration of justice and public health and safety” Victorian Attorney General, Jill Hennessy said.
“The Coronial and Forensic teams are unsung heroes of the community, like the fire service, police, hospitals and other essential services we turn to in times of personal and community crisis,” she said.
Ms Hennessy also acknowledged the 30th anniversary of the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria which was established soon after the VIFM and has saved or enhanced the lives of thousands of Australians through tissue donation. Its state of the art facility provides an environment that is literally joined to the mortuary so life-saving human tissue can be retrieved and processed for transplant within 24 hours of death.
Afterlife comprises 10 episodes: The First 48 Hours, The Investigation and Inquest, Fascinating Forensics, Why We’re Here, Disaster Victim Identification, Clinical Forensic Medicine, Tissue Donation, Cases That Stay With Us, Justice For The Aged and Our Work With The Police.
Afterlife producer and VIFM media advisor, Deb Withers said she was thrilled with the production.
“The aim of the series is to demystify what happens in the first 24 hours of an unexpected death, educate the public about procedures within the coronial system linked to the administration of justice and new legislation that ultimately leads to prevention and fewer deaths in the community,”she said.
See a trailer for Afterlife here:
