Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - VIFM

05/08/2026

He is still unknown.

More than two decades after his remains were discovered in Victoria, the man known as the Purple Scarf Man has never been identified. Our forensic team know this man by just one identifying feature: a purple scarf.

This is a desperately sad cold case.

As part of National Missing Persons Week , we're sharing our former VIFM Senior Anthropologist Dr Soren Blau AM reflecting on the Purple Scarf Man case and the meticulous work involved in identifying unknown human remains. Today, Dr Blau leads the Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology Division at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), supporting efforts to identify missing people around the world.

If you'd like to hear more from Dr Blau, she'll be returning to Melbourne on 29 October 2026 to deliver VIFM's 2026 Graeme Schofield Oration, sharing insights from her remarkable career at the forefront of humanitarian forensic science. Read more about our FREE public lecture here: https://www.vifm.org/teaching-research/2026-graeme-schofield-oration-and-dinner/

International Commission on Missing Persons - ICMP The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre

04/08/2026

This , we acknowledge the thousands of families across Australia living with the uncertainty of a missing loved one.

At the VIFM, one of our specialist roles is helping identify unidentified human remains. It is work we wish was never needed, but it is an important part of helping resolve long-term missing persons investigations and providing answers to families.

Using advances in forensic science and technology, we continue to revisit cases, sometimes years or even decades after remains were first recovered., working closely with the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and forensic partners across Australia to ensure every possible avenue for identification is explored.

Our work has contributed to a number of significant long-term missing persons investigations, including the identification of the remains of Daniel Morcombe who had been abducted from the Sunshine Coast in 2003. After years of searching - human bones were found in bushland in the Sunshine Coast in 2011. A few months later, and thanks to a cross border investigation which included the VIFM, DNA results confirm the human bones belong to Daniel Morcombe.

Watch our Manager of Molecular Biology, Dr Dadna Hartman talk about the lab's work during the investigation - in a video interview that we recorded a few years after the investigation and murder trial in 2014.

This is work we hope is never needed - but when it is, we remain committed to finding answers, no matter how much time has passed.


The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre Australian Federal Police Victoria Police

30/07/2026

Here’s beautiful Willow again, and today we wanted to reveal the vast amount of people whose lives have been impacted by her eye and tissue donations. Willow donated cornea, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves to the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria following her death in 2021.

Thanks to Willow and mum Tara’s generosity, Willow's eye and tissue donations have helped 49 people.

A truly remarkable outcome.

Here’s how Willow has helped these 49 recipients:

➡️ Both corneas were successfully transplanted to two recipients who are now doing very well. Willow's donation would allow these recipients to see again.
➡️ Donated skin tissue was transplanted to 5 different recipients suffering from severe burns, and this would have dramatically helped them in the healing and recovery process
➡️ Both Willows heart valves were transplanted to 2 children, which would have been life saving for them.
➡️ Willow has helped an incredible 32 recipients with her bone donation. These donations can restore mobility, reduce pain, and help someone to walk, heal and return to normal function.
➡️ Willow also donated tendons which helped 8 recipients with reconstructive surgeries due to sports injuries.

Tara is Willow’s mum and has kindly agreed to share Willow’s story in the hope that it will help others in considering becoming a tissue donor.

We hope that sharing the impact of Willow’s donation has brought Tara and her family some comfort, knowing that we are all very proud of and grateful to Willow and her generosity.

This Week, please take a moment to register as an organ and tissue donor, and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could one day help save or transform someone's life, just as Willow's generous gift has done.

Join the register today ➡️: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today


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Please remember, help is available.

If you or anyone you know needs support for mental health : Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and su***de prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or to chat online.

If you or anyone you know needs support with depression or anxiety: Beyond Blue is available on 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or to chat online.

29/07/2026

This is the beautiful Willow, who very kindly donated cornea, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves to The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria following her death in 2021.

Willow had dreams of being a forensic nurse. She was a talented artist, musician and had a passion for unusual animals.

Tara is Willow’s mum and has kindly agreed to share Willow’s story in the hope that it will help others in considering becoming a tissue donor.

“Willow had started to donate blood as soon as she turned 18. I grew up believing organs and tissue should be donated after death – if we don’t need them anymore then someone else should have them. We discussed what she wanted after death a number of times, so when I was asked about donation, it was easy to say yes,” Tara recalls.

“Whilst I’m so glad that so many people’s lives were improved by what Willow donated, my heart still hurts that my beautiful Willow is no longer with us. Thank you so much for listening to our story.”

Willow's tissue donations have helped a vast amount of people and tomorrow we will share just how many people were given another chance at life thanks to Willow and Tara’s generosity.

We hope that Willow’s story has brought Tara and her family some comfort, knowing that we are all very proud of and grateful to Willow.

This , please take a moment to register as an organ and tissue donor, and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could one day help save or transform someone's life, just as Willow's generous gift has done.

Join the register today: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

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Please remember, help is available.

If you or anyone you know needs support for mental health : Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and su***de prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or to chat online.

If you or anyone you know needs support with depression or anxiety: Beyond Blue is available on 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or to chat online.

28/07/2026

28/07/2026

👁️This Week, we’re shining a light on the gift of sight, and the incredible teamwork involved in corneal transplantations across Victoria.

Many people know about organ donation, but fewer people realise that you can also donate your corneas after death. A corneal transplant can be life-changing for someone living with corneal disease, injury or vision loss.

In Victoria, there is a dedicated network working together in this life-changing journey - from donor families who make an extraordinary decision in difficult times, the nurses who support them, the network involved in the donation and retrieval process, and the specialist teams in hospitals who perform these delicate procedures.

The Lions Eye Donation Service (LEDS)* coordinates eye donation, retrieves, and evaluates donated eye tissue. They receive referrals for eye donation from many sources, including DonateLife VIC, Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, hospital staff, funeral directors, and families.

And, when every moment matters, transport is critical. Blood Bikes Victoria - a group of volunteer motorcyclists - helps support the safe and timely movement of donated corneas, helping ensure this precious tissue reaches hospitals and surgical teams as quickly as possible.

Our photo is from a morning tea in June when all organisations had the chance to come together to celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Blood Bikes Australia partnership with LEDS. We're proud to be part of this incredible donation network.

This DonateLife Week, we encourage everyone to learn more about eye and tissue donation and consider registering as a donor.

Join the Register today: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

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*LEDS is a joint venture between Centre for Eye Research Australia and The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

27/07/2026

It’s DonateLife Week 2026 and we're celebrating the incredible generosity of tissue donors and the dedicated team at the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV), whose work changes lives every day.

Dressed in full sterile coveralls, our CEO Lisa Lynch recently visited the DTBV for a behind-the-scenes tour with Acting Head of DTBV Kellie Hamilton and Operations Manager Amila Peiris.

Lisa gained a first-hand appreciation of the expertise, precision and care that underpin every donation. The tour included seeing our Tissue experts Katy Sadler, Ben Stewart, Celeste Gusman and Bonita Lau in action.

"Seeing the dedication of the DTBV team and the care taken at every stage of the donation process was incredibly moving,” said Lisa. "Behind every tissue graft is an act of generosity that gives hope, healing and a better quality of life to someone else. During DonateLife Week, I encourage everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor and, just as importantly, let your family know your decision."

This DonateLife Week, please take a moment to register and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could change someone's life tomorrow.

Join the register today: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

26/07/2026

It's , and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) and The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria encourage all Australians to register as organ and tissue donors and be the reason someone else gets a second chance at life.

Please take a moment to register and start the conversation with your loved ones, or share posts from ourselves, the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority or DonateLife. Your decision today could change someone's life tomorrow.

24/07/2026

DonateLife Week starts on Sunday and we’re ready to get all of Australia talking about organ and tissue donation 🙌

Consider this your sign to register as an organ and tissue donor if you haven’t already – you could save up to 7 lives one day!

Head to our supporter hub for more information about how to get involved this DonateLife Week: www.donatelife.gov.au/donatelifeweek

Let’s get more Aussies registered as organ and tissue donors ❤️

23/07/2026