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Selected Topics in Forensic Investigation FSCT 8102

Forensic Investigation Course

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 is designed for persons interested in death scene investigations. Participants will learn about the identification and appearance of corpses in violent and natural death. Relationship to the scene of death is emphasised, as are features of wounds on external examination. Some of the material on external examination will apply to the living. (e.g., assault victims). This course outlines the interdisciplinary approach to death investigation by highlighting the roles of the coroner (medical examiner), pathologist and forensic scientists.

Prerequisite(s)

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

Credits

3.0

Not offered this term
This course is not offered this term. Please check back next term or subscribe to receive notifications of future course offerings and other opportunities to learn more about this course and related programs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

Explain laws relating to death in Canada:

  • Locate statute law
  • Identify officials & agencies involved
  • Explain principles of coroner/medical examiner systems

Apply definitions and classification of types of death to sudden death investigation:

  • Differentiate between natural and unnatural death
  • Identify elements of sudden death investigations
  • Locate personnel and resources for death investigations

Evaluate death scenes:

  • Assess scenes according to principles
  • Recognize indications of violence and hazards at death scenes
  • Locate personnel and resources required to investigate suspicious scenes
  • Locate past medical information about the deceased

Carry out visual inspection of a dead body:

  • Identify common changes occurring after death
  • Recognize indications of violence on the corpse
  • Categorize types of wounds and asphyxial death
  • Assess the need for and plan for proper identification of the deceased

Assess the evidence collection requirements:

  • Explain and apply principles of proper evidence handling
  • Identify where evidence may be located at the scene, and on the corpse

Describe special requirements in multiple fatalities:

  • Plan basic operations for identification of the dead and evidence recovery at a temporary mortuar
  • Explain the special requirements during body recovery in mass disasters

Effective as of Fall 2007

Related Programs

Selected Topics in Forensic Investigation (FSCT 8102) is offered as a part of the following programs:

School of Computing and Academic Studies

  1. Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
    Bachelor of Technology Part-time

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  • 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.