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Seneca College Partners with BCIT Forensics

Seneca College School of Public Safety and Police Studies offers first applied forensic program in Ontario

June 2008

Forensic science has made it possible to detect, investigate and prosecute offences in ways never before possible. As the relationship between crime scene investigations and laboratory examinations grows, investigators today require advanced skills to meet the higher standards set out by the courts. Now Seneca College’s Forensic Investigative Studies Program offers professionals in law enforcement the opportunity to obtain a post-graduate certificate in this growing field through part-time studies.

Seneca, in partnership with British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is offering a unique Forensic Investigative Studies program that will enhance theoretical knowledge and investigative capabilities as well as provide a clear understanding of selected scientific principles, procedures, technologies and the legal issues involved in an investigator's work. Ideal for individuals who already have a certificate, diploma or degree in the field of law enforcement, current serving police officers, or mature students with a relevant work history, the program will prepare students for new employment or greater career opportunities. Graduates will attain the credentials needed to open doors to specialized investigative units, enhance investigative skills through an increased awareness of the types of forensic evidence that exists - what it can do, and how to properly collect and use that evidence - increase their knowledge concerning what would be considered evidence in a legal proceeding and improve their ability to testify in an expert matter before the courts.

The program, currently underway, offers ten subjects delivered by recognized experts in their respective fields, augmented in many cases by guest speakers and professors from BCIT. Subjects include Introduction to Forensic Science, Forensic Anthropology – Rural Crime Scenes, Forensic Interviewing, Forensic Behavioural Science, Forensic Video Technologies and Expert Witness Preparation. Students can complete the program under two years depending on the pace at which they choose to study.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity this program provides for law enforcement professionals,” says Jeff Agro, Seneca College Public Safety and Police Studies Program Co-ordinator. “Participants can begin their studies at any time. And our relationship with BCIT gives program graduates the opportunity to further their education by receiving advanced standing towards BCIT’s Advanced Specialty Certificate (Forensic Science Studies) or their Bachelor of Technology (Forensic Investigation).”

In addition to this, the School of Public Safety and Police Studies, in partnership with other organizations, also offers ongoing professional development workshops. These workshops, which include topics such as Aircrash Recovery, Forensic Blood Spatter Analysis, and Introduction to Criminal Intelligence, are ideal for those seeking knowledge in a specialized area.

Seneca College’s School of Public Safety and Police Studies is located at Seneca’s King Campus, just north of Toronto in King City. The School encompasses the various public safety components and careers to which students can aspire - from security, customs, immigration, corrections and more – and is committed to providing the contemporary knowledge, skills, and experience required by graduates to obtain and excel in diverse and rewarding careers in public safety, policing and investigations.

You can find out more information about these exciting educational opportunities by visiting Seneca's website, or by calling Jeff Agro, Program Coordinator for the School of Public Safety and Police Studies at 416-491-5050 ext. 5090.

Cal State Partners with BCIT to Deliver Graduate Program

BCIT students will be able to pursue master's degree in national security studies

January 2008

BURNABY, BC: California State University - San Bernardino (CSUSB) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) have entered into an agreement that will allow BCIT's students into CSUSB's National Security Studies master's program. "The agreement will go into effect in the fall of 2008 as the first of the institute's students enroll for the fall quarter," said Mark T. Clark, director of the CSUSB's National Security Studies master's degree program, which prepares graduates for civilian federal service working with security and foreign policy issues.

"We are pleased to be able to develop this partnership with Cal State, and recognize its strong reputation in this unique field of education. As Canada's premier polytechnic institute, BCIT prides itself on providing hands-on, technology-focussed training, and we know that Cal State's program will be an excellent opportunity for our students to further their skills at the graduate level," said Alex Tyakoff, program coordinator for BCIT's Crime and Intelligence Analysis certificate. In addition to intelligence studies, the BCIT's Centre for Forensic and Security Technology Studies offers education in the areas of forensic science technology, economic fraud, computer crimes, criminalistics and forensic accounting.

The National Security Studies (NSS) program is housed in the political science department of Cal State San Bernardino's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The NSS program is only one of three such programs in the United States and the only one at the 21-campus California State University system. Along with defense department agencies, the NSS master's degree program also includes the intelligence community, the state and commerce departments, congressional staffs, national-level law enforcements such as the FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and numerous other agencies and departments.

The Canadian students are all in BCIT's Centre for Forensic and Security Technology Studies with an emphasis on Crime and Intelligence Analysis. The students must complete the 46 units of the master's degree coursework at Cal State San Bernardino and they will able to concentrate on any of the fields in the National Security Study program or they may develop a field in Canadian security. "Also, as part of the memorandum of understanding, BCIT professor Alex Tyakoff will have adjunct professor status on the Cal State San Bernardino campus," Clark said.

BCIT students wishing to know more about this innovative partnership and their eligibility should contact Alex Tyakoff at 604.456.1196.