Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science

This course provides practice in written and oral communication skills used in forensic science and investigation careers. The emphasis is on explaining technical material in plain language and communicating investigation results in reports and presentations. The course also includes techniques for e-mails, letters, reports, and for making oral presentations. Students prepare a professional job application and LinkedIn profile and examine strategies for maintaining their online reputation as professionals.
Prerequisite(s):

• 6 credits of COMM 1100 level or above, or 3 credits of university/college writing course.

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.

Fosters abilities and values required for ethical decision making at work. Develops skills in logical analysis, a working knowledge of moral principles and theories, and the ability to diagnose and resolve moral disagreements commonly found at work. Examines and applies moral principles to historically famous cases in manufacturing, human resources, management, engineering, health care, and computing.
Prerequisite(s):

• BCIT ENGL 1177, or 6 credits BCIT Communication at 1100-level or above, or 3 credits of a university/college first-year social science or humanities course.

This course is intended to develop advanced research and analytical skills. It will focus on the theory of inquiry; the logic, reality, and structure of investigative enquiry; and data analysis, methodologies of measurement models, and reporting of results. Emphasis will be placed on data-gathering and statistical techniques. You will be introduced to multivariate statistical analysis techniques, using SPSS for application in the law enforcement and forensics fields. Various models of measurement, including quantitative, qualitative and data-mining techniques with hands on data sets, will be covered. Groups will be required to prepare a mini research project using all the statistical applications covered in class.
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 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.

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 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 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.

The Canadian criminal justice is an adversarial system of adjudication which pits the State against accused. The system applies well-established rules governing both the procedural and substantive aspects of a criminal process. The conflict takes place within a criminal trial and related judicial proceedings. This course pursues a detailed exploration of the criminal justice process, from the commencement of the investigation to the verdict at trial. Each step is considered in the context of the goal of a fair and impartial inquiry aimed at getting at the truth. The perspective of the major players in the process, including the police, Crown counsel, the accused, the judge and jury, and even witnesses, are all explained and explored.
Prerequisite(s):

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

This course is designed for professionals in a variety of disciplines who may have to testify in a criminal or civil case. Technical competence is only the beginning of an expert witness' role. To be relevant, one's analysis must be effectively communicated to the trier of fact. The progression from crime scene to courtroom is described and analyzed by considering legal principles, actual court practice, trial strategies and moot court demonstrations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in FSCT 7002 or 60% in FSCT 7009
• For those that have not completed FSCT 7002 or FSCT 7009, permission may be granted to working professionals whose subject-matter expertise may require them to testify in court as an expert witness.

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