Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)

The Canadian criminal justice system is an adversarial system which pits the accused person against the State. The adversarial process follows a well-defined series of procedural steps from initial complaint to verdict and sentencing. This course provides a detailed examination of the legal procedures that govern criminal proceedings in Canada including the tendering of evidence by both Crown and defence, with a particular emphasis on issues applicable to forensic investigators and technicians.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

Forensic evidence is subject to all the general rules related to the admissibility of evidence in the criminal trial process and is also subject to certain unique rules of scrutiny. This course examines the fundamental laws of evidence within the adversarial process and provides a context for the expert in their role as witness.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 7001

Through a practical exploration of the stages of a mock investigation and consequent trial, this course illuminates the vital role forensic evidence plays in criminal proceedings. The course will put particular emphasis on issues relating to the admissibility of forensic evidence and the evidentiary weight that results from the manner of identification, isolation, collection, and analysis of such evidence. Students working as members of an investigative team will locate and gather evidence, interview witnesses, identify a suspect, and formulate a theory of culpability. At a subsequent mock trial, each student will be examined by Crown and defence counsel on their role in the investigation.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 7002

The course covers the major areas of crime scene examination, in order to give an in-depth understanding in theories of searching and in dealing with the entire range of physical evidence located during the various types of crime scene searches.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course provides on overview of the fundamental principles of forensic science and its origins. Techniques and instrumentation employed by forensic experts and methodology used to maintain continuity and integrity of evidence are examined. The role of physical evidence in civil and criminal trials is also discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course is designed to provide the forensic investigator the concepts of case management and the application of case management methods in organizing investigative teams, planning investigative actions and analyzing evidence and intelligence.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

There are two management concepts that have historically tended to produce very successful outcomes when applied to any endeavour, including conducting complex criminal or civil investigations. These concepts, using the strength of teams and project management, each have followers. The focus of this course will be to expose you to both concepts to enable you to develop and experience an organized approach to any type of investigation.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

As laboratories continue to push for increased efficiencies, the importance of good management techniques has never been more relevant in the forensic community. Creating a foundation of financial literacy for students to build on allows the introduction of lean management and change management principles which can be applied in a laboratory context. Students will examine how ethical standards influence professional practice in forensics, and how efficiencies can be created in the context of a forensic science laboratory.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course demonstrates principles of forensic archaeology and methodical scene examination, showing how these principles are used in the search, excavation and recovery of human remains. The theories and methodologies employed are explored during lectures as well as during the field component. During the field component of the course (3x 8 hour days), teams will learn to process a scene from start to finish, including: initial scene assessment, surface scatter search, mapping, measuring, recording, gridding, screening, excavation and recovery of the remains. The course will conclude with a de-briefing session.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

Forensic entomology is the study of insects associated with a human corpse, usually a homicide victim, to determine elapsed time since death. It can also be used to determine whether the body has been moved, disturbed after death, used drugs prior to death, etc. It is the most accurate and frequently the only method of determining elapsed time since death after 72 hours. The course provides the students with an overall understanding of entomology and its applications to criminal investigations, collecting insect evidence at a crime scene in a manner defensible in court, and the value of insect evidence and the results which can be expected from an entomologist.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course provides instruction in forensic biology with a focus on current short tandem repeat (STR) technologies. The design of the course follows the logical progression of a forensic DNA case by including instruction in: evidence gathering and preservation techniques, the identification of biological evidence including presumptive and confirmatory testing, the extraction, quantitation and PCR amplification analysis strategies for common types of biological evidence (bodily fluids, hard and soft tissues and "touch" DNA), and the interpretation methods utilized for single-source profiles, mixed profiles, parentage and kinship scenarios. Each module also includes practical interpretation exercises based on real case work scenarios in order to underpin the theoretical aspects of this applied forensic discipline.
Prerequisite(s):

• 3 credits of university/college biology course

This course provides instruction in evidence search and collection for the purposes of submitting samples for forensic DNA typing within an accredited laboratory environment. Evidence searching (including alternate light sources) is followed by screening of evidence with presumptive and/or confirmatory tests to identify the source of biological evidence including blood, semen, saliva, and urine. Students will also learn about microscopy principles and techniques to search for and identify biological and trace chemical evidence. Practical laboratory exercises teach the decision-making process for initiating complex searches with the proper methods for collecting and preserving wet and dry biological evidence, proper evidence storage, and maintenance of the chain of custody and evidence tracking. In addition, biological hazards and best safety procedures are covered.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 8150

This course provides practical instruction in the area of forensic analysis with a strong emphasis on the instrumental analysis of samples to aid in forensic investigations including homicide, arson analysis, driving impairment cases, and death investigation. The course focuses on the theory and practice of instrumental methods commonly used in the chemical analysis of samples by forensic scientists. Chromatographic techniques such as GC and HPLC will be reviewed prior to discussion on their use as components of hyphenated techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS. The related technique of ICP-MS/MS will also be discussed. Specific emphasis will be given to application of these techniques for forensic science. Correct operation and troubleshooting of all instruments used will also be emphasized. In addition to their practical sessions, students will give a group presentation on a topic related to the use of instrumental methods for forensic analysis.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 8240
• FSCT 8240 or an Analytical Chemistry course.

With the advent of new molecular techniques, DNA is the material of choice for forensic analysis. The current technology of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) makes it possible to identify an individual with a high degree of accuracy. A series of lectures and laboratory exercises will show students the strength of this powerful technique and how it applies to law enforcement.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 8150

This course examines the pharmacological and physiological effects of alcohol consumption on the human body. The theoretical basis and practical applications of various technologies, both laboratory based and field use based, that are currently utilized to determine blood alcohol concentration in the body will be thoroughly reviewed. Students will be given practical training in the usage of Approved Screening Devices and Evidentiary Breath Testing Instruments. Actual application and interpretation of the obtained blood alcohol concentration results within a courtroom setting will also be discussed and further reinforced by use of sample case studies.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course serves as an introduction to the analysis, interpretation and reporting of common drugs encountered by a practicing forensic toxicologist. Other topics that are explored include laboratory techniques and instrumentation, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of common drugs including cannabis, CNS stimulants, Opioids, CNS depressants and novel psychoactive drugs, the application of forensic toxicology to post-mortem, sexual assault and impaired driving cases, and presenting expert testimony in court. Directed reading, practical quiz and participatory discussions will introduce you to the science of forensic toxicology.
Prerequisite(s):

• 3 credits of university/college chemistry course.

This laboratory course introduces the chemistry and analytical requirements for the testing of illicit and controlled drugs. The student will learn the characterization of drugs in typical street form including cannabis, cocaine and crack, heroin, designer drugs and hallucinogens, as well as how they are analyzed, and the requirements for their certification to be used in a court of law. The student will learn how to use various chemical tests, isolation and purification techniques, as well as chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.
Prerequisite(s):

• 3.0 credits of post-secondary chemistry.

This course covers the history of fingerprints as it relates to individualization; friction skin development; how to obtain a proper set of known fingerprint impressions; the Henry Classification System, the Auto-Class Classification System and Real Time Identification (RTID) System; fingerprint individualization with emphasis on Ridgeology; palm print individualization including the use of palmar flexion creases; procedures utilized in crime scene examination and recovery of fingerprints; chemical techniques for fingerprint detection; the Identification of Criminals Act; and the expert witness in the Canadian Court System.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course covers firearms and ammunition, serial number restoration, physical matching and comparison, range determination, gunshot wounds and exhibit handling. Emphasis is placed on firearm and tool mark identification to increase understanding of the uniqueness of tool marks as an aid in investigating and solving crimes.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

This course explains the role that quality assurance and quality control play in an accredited forensic science laboratory. The requirements and applications of the standards ISO 17025 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories) and CAN-P-1578 (Guidelines for the Accreditation of Forensic Testing Laboratories) are covered. The role and duties of a Quality Assurance Manager within a calibration or testing laboratory are covered. Students undergo numerous practical Quality Assurance activities, including conducting corrective action, continual improvement, and controlling documents and records. In addition, students will conduct an internal audit exercise which includes developing an audit plan and program, gathering audit evidence, conducting interviews, writing an audit report, and conducting an audit meeting.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.