Skip to main content

Forensic Biology: Evidence Recovery FSCT 8155

Forensic Investigation Course

Subscribe
View cart
International Fees

International fees are typically three times the amount of domestic fees. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.

Course details

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)

Credits

3.0

Domestic fees

$874.99

Course offerings

Spring/Summer 2024

Below is one offering of FSCT 8155 for the Spring/Summer 2024 term.

CRN 69331

Duration

Sat May 11 - Mon Jun 24 (8 weeks)

  • 8 weeks
  • CRN 69331
  • Domestic fees $874.99
    International fees are typically three times the amount of domestic fees.
Class meeting times
Dates Days Times Locations
May 11 - Jun 24 N/A N/A Online
May 13 - May 16 Mon, Thu 18:00 - 21:15 Burnaby NW04 Rm. 4074
May 23 - May 30 Mon, Thu 18:00 - 21:15 Burnaby NW04 Rm. 4074
May 24 Fri 18:00 - 21:15 Online
Jun 03 - Jun 06 Mon, Thu 18:00 - 21:15 Online
Jun 10 Mon 18:00 - 21:15 Burnaby NW04 Rm. 4074
Jun 13 Thu 18:00 - 21:15 Online
Jun 17 - Jun 20 Mon, Thu 18:00 - 21:15 Burnaby NW04 Rm. 4074
Jun 24 Mon 18:00 - 21:15 Online
Instructor

Christine Martin

Course outline

Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.

Domestic fees

$874.99

Important information
  1. Departmental approval needed
  2. International fees are typically three times the amount of domestic fees. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
  3. This is a HYBRID course. Face to Face labs held on Mondays and Thursdays (May 13, 16, 23, 27, 30, June 10, 17, 20, 2024). Students will have access to the course content on the Learning Hub starting May 11, 2024 to prep for their first lab on May 13, 2024. ONLINE “LIVE” classes (1800-2130) are planned for Friday May 24th, Monday June 3th and Thursday June 13th. ONLINE midterm will be on June 6th and final exam on June 24th. Online PowerPoint presentations are planned for each week. There is no required textbook.
Status

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Identify the difference between biological evidence and non-biological evidence.
  • Outline common locations and source of biological evidence.
  • Use UV and alternate light sources to locate biological evidence.
  • Describe the underlying process of how presumptive and confirmatory tests work in identifying biological fluids.
  • Use presumptive and/or confirmatory tests and correctly interpret the results to identify various types of biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine).
  • Search a variety of types of evidence including mapping of large pieces of evidence.
  • Explain the underlying principles of microscopy including Kohler illumination, phase contrast microscopy, other techniques and limitations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively search for biological evidence using microscopy.
  • Practice proper safety procedures to handle potential health hazards when dealing with biological evidence.
  • Demonstrate proper techniques to package and store wet and dry evidence in order to preserve DNA.
  • Identify proper methods for storing various types of biological evidence.
  • Describe the components and importance of chain of custody and evidence tracking while working in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Effective as of Fall 2018

Related Programs

Forensic Biology: Evidence Recovery (FSCT 8155) is offered as a part of the following programs:

  • Indicates programs accepting international students.
  • Indicates programs with a co-op option.

School of Computing and Academic Studies

  1. Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science
    Bachelor of Science Full-time
  2. Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
    Advanced Certificate Part-time
  3. Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
    Bachelor of Technology Part-time

Contact Us

If you have a question or comment about this course, please complete and submit the form below.

  • Privacy Notice: The information you provide will be used to respond to your request for BCIT program information and is collected under Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For more information about BCIT’s privacy practices contact: Associate Director, Privacy, Information Access & Policy Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2, email: privacy@bcit.ca.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe

Interested in being notified about future offerings of Forensic Biology: Evidence Recovery (FSCT 8155)? If so, fill out the information below and we'll notify you by email when courses for each new term are displayed here.

  • Privacy Notice: The information you provide will be used to respond your request for BCIT course information and is collected under Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For more information about BCIT’s privacy practices contact: Associate Director, Privacy, Information Access & Policy Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, BC V5A 3H2, email: privacy@bcit.ca.

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.