Forensic Identification

This course introduces students to the investigation of a crime scene. "Tunnel vision" bias is avoided by using scientific methodology in crime scene management practices. This enables students to determine the roles of different actors in crime scene investigation. Students also learn to evaluate the relevance of physical evidence and understand how the stages of the investigation are connected to the data collected from the scene. Students are taught the connection between the scientific methodology used by forensic experts and the formulation of their reported conclusions. 3 credits

Scientific Inquiry and Fire Scene Management This course examines the cause of a fire using scientific method and appropriate fire scene management practices. This course analyses the roles of different actors in fire scene inquiry, minimizing bias, and connecting the stages of an investigation to the data. The facts at the scene become the basis of report writing on the cause of the fire using scientific methodology. Lec. 3cr.

The course covers the methods of collection, examination and comparison of forensic tire track and tire impression evidence. Methods include: processes of evaluation, documentation, foundation and testimony of findings in court and in written reports. (lec 3) cr 3.

This course provides the mission statement, rationale and operational procedure for maximum recovery of physical evidence from crime scenes and exhibits, and the interdependent steps required to deliver it from crime scene to court. The course offers diagnostic and triage knowledge, and the science behind current techniques essential to correct sequencing and documentation of crime scene exhibits for fingerprints, while preserving the integrity of the exhibits and the process, and the acquisition and protection of DNA evidence. It also includes atypical photographic and digital techniques for optimum recording of threshold evidence in a range of situations. Lec., 3 credits

The Law and Fire Scene Management This course covers how students apply their fire investigation skills safely at a fire scene while working within the scope of their legal authority to coordinate with the other public safety agencies present at that scene. The course emphasizes an understanding of how to work effectively, share information appropriately and maximize the value of their fire investigation findings in both legal proceedings and the identification of public safety issues. PREREQUISITE: FOID 1306 EL, Scientific Inquiry and Fire Scene Management. Lec. 3 cr.

This course introduces the structure and function of DNA and forensic DNA testing. The course examines the basic biochemistry of DNA, including the aspects of chemical structure and genetic transmission that facilitate the use of DNA in forensic identification. (Lec 3) cr 3.

This course provides a conceptual context for the law enforcement responsibilities of Forensic Identification Officers by examining the essential rules of expert witness testimony in the law of evidence. Second, it outlines the basic principles of ethical inquiry that are relevant to the challenges facing these members of police services as they gather evidence and testify in court. (Lec 3) cr 3.

This course introduces the concepts of drug chemistry and toxicology as they apply to forensic investigation. Information pertaining specifically to appearance, formulation and/or preparation and manner of ingestion (route of administration) will be presented. Where relevant, factors complicating substance identification will be discussed. (Lec 3) cr 3.

This course provides Forensic Identification Officers or Forensic Science students sufficient firearms knowledge to identify and provide fundamental interpretive firearms evidence at a shooting incident, while recognizing the significance and limitations of that evidence. Exterior and terminal ballistics, emphasizing bullet impact damage assessment and bullet path analysis, are the primary objectives of the course. Understanding the capabilities of the Forensic Laboratory Firearms discipline and recognizing how on-site action impacts subsequent analysis are also addressed. Lec. 3, 3 cr

This course introduces the handling of evidence related to a crime involving a firearm. Topics include recognizing, collecting and submitting firearm evidence to a forensic laboratory, the types of testing that can be conducted on such evidence and the interpretation of forensic reports pertaining to firearms evidence. Students will follow an item of evidence from its origin at the crime scene, through collection and analysis at the laboratory. The principles underlying the forensic report are explored. (Lec 3) cr 3

This course covers the processes governing the decomposition of human remains in a variety of forensic contexts. To understand how human remains interact with the natural environment, aspects of forensic botany, ecology, entomology, and taphonomy are discussed in detail. Estimation of the postmortem interval is a central theme. (Lec 3) cr 3.

This course covers current best practices in detecting, documenting, and recovering human remains in a forensic context. Human remains discovered in outdoor and indoor contexts, including full burials, eroded burials, surface, scavenged, and burned remains are covered in detail. Logistical approaches to scene recovery in simple and complex scenarios such as mass disaster scenes are also covered. PREREQ: FOID 3006 EL, (Lec 3, Lab 3) cr 3.

This course covers the principles, technologies and methodologies of forensic DNA analysis and interpretation that are commonly used in forensic laboratories to answer investigative questions in criminal cases. PREREQ: FOID 2016 EL and FOID 2006 EL, (Lec 3) cr 3

"Diagnosis, Sequential Fingerprinting Processing and Photography of Crime Scene Scenes and Exhibits" This course places the officer in an authentic operational scenario during which the officer takes possession of exhibits, and assumes responsibility for their continuity and integrity. Knowledge and skills acquired during the required e-learning pre-requisite course will be used to generate and carry out a sequential examination procedure for each exhibit, to mark fingerprint evidence detected by these procedures, and to select and employ appropriate photographic techniques to record images of high quality. (lab 3) 3 credits. Prerequisite: FOID 2206 EL, Detection, Development and Photography of Fingerprint Evidence

This course addresses the preparation and delivery of forensic identification evidence. In addition to evidence presentation, other categories of evidence are considered. This course also covers courtroom practices, testimonial pitfalls and evidentiary imperatives. Forensic report writing and the requirements of the criminal code conclude the subject matter to be covered. PREREQ: FOID 2126 EL , (Lec 3) cr 3.

This course is a directed research project on a topic relevant to forensic investigation. Topics include current issues surrounding the collection, analysis and interpretation of crime scene evidence. The results of the research are reported orally and in a written essay. PREREQ: FOID 2006, 2016, 2026, 2106 and 2126 (Sem/Cst 3) cr 3.

This course introduces the concepts of determining the origin and cause of fires under investigation. The mechanics of fire, fire chemistry, fire pattern analysis, fire movement and the interrelationship between fuel and ventilation controlled fires are examined in detail. Excavation techniques, evidence recognition, documentation and collection are considered in a variety of fire scenes. 3cr

This course covers the examination and comparison of footwear evidence. The theoretical framework for the methods of collection and evaluation are discussed. The documentation of results as the basis for written reports and courtroom testimony are examined. (lec 3) 3 cr

This course covers the identification, interpretation, reconstruction and documentation of the trajectory of bullets and other projectiles through the examination of projectile impact sites in a forensic context. The interpretation of number of shots fired, determination of point of origin and terminal point of bullet travel, an overview of wound ballistics, and the likelihood of sequencing multiple shots will be covered in this course. FOID 2216 EL, Forensic Aspects of Firearms and Tool Mark Evidence, is a prerequisite for this course. 3 cr. Note: Contact the department to identify the location of the course.

This week-long intensive course provides students with a working knowledge to recognize human skeletal remains in a variety of forensic contexts. Students are trained in the laboratory on basic human and commonly encountered faunal skeletal anatomy. Fragmentary, burned, and weathered bone specimens are used as part of scene simulations to familiarize students with applications. (lec. 3). Prerequisite: FOID 2006.

This week-long intensive course provides students with a working knowledge of the archaeological methods used to investigate large loss fire scenes, including those with human remains. Documentation and recovery methods are applied through the use of scenario-driven exercises based on structural and vehicular fires. PREQU: FOID 3036 (lec. 3) cr.

The Law and Fire Scene Management This course covers how students apply their fire investigation skills safely at a fire scene while working within the scope of their legal authority to coordinate with the other public safety agencies present at that scene. The course emphasizes an understanding of how to work effectively, share information appropriately and maximize the value of their fire investigation findings in both legal proceedings and the identification of public safety issues. PREREQUISITE: FOID 1306 EL, Scientific Inquiry and Fire Scene Management. Lec. 3 cr.

This practicum focuses on the examination and comparison of footwear impression evidence from the receipt of the evidence to the drawing of conclusions. Practice in the entire examination process is emphasized, including the initial evaluation of impressions, the examination of known footwear, the process of comparison of crime scene impressions to known footwear, and the formulation of conclusions in reports and testimony. Prerequisite: restricted to Forensic Identification students. 3 credits