Overview
Forensic science, the application of science to legal matters, has always captivated individuals with an interest and aptitude for investigation. Seen in popular culture through television shows such as CSI, it is easy to see how forensic science has captured the attention and interest of society.
The goal of BCIT’s forensic science program is to provide a strong scientific approach to an applied discipline by exploring both the theoretical and practical aspects involved with forensics. The curriculum covers key areas required by forensic investigators, including, but not limited to: Canadian legal aspects, evidence and expert witness training, crime scene processing, case management, death investigation, biological aspects (DNA, anthropology, entomology, odontology, etc.), chemical aspects (fingerprinting, firearms/toolmarks, photography/video/imaging, etc.), physical aspects, and a variety of elective topics.
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Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
Most courses may be taken for professional development purposes on an individual course basis without formally applying to the program. To request approval to take a course for professional development, email the Program Assistant identifying which course you'd like to take and attach your current resume along with a brief explanation of how it pertains to your occupation or area of studies.
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements to be accepted.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Contact the Program Assistant for a pre-entry assessment.
You must upload an approved pre-entry assessment from the program area to your online application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (67%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (67%) or
- Acceptable equivalent high school course or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (67%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Completion of one of the following options prior to admission:
- Option 1: A two-year diploma (minimum of 60 credits) or associate or bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or
- Option 2: A minimum of 60 credits of courses fulfilling the requirements of the first two years of study towards the completion of a defined undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (e.g. BA, BSc, BComm, BASc, etc) or
- Option 3: A minimum of 60 credits of courses from one or more recognized post-secondary institutions (minimum of 18 credits at second-year or higher level) or
- Option 4: Certification as a police constable AND completion of 30 credits from a recognized post-secondary institution or
- Option 5: Meeting of alternate entry/exception policy. Contact the Program Assistant for details.
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Contact your local police department to obtain the appropriate forms - Letter for police department [PDF]
- Must be issued within one year of your application date
- The outcome of the CRC may influence your acceptability for this program
- Completed and signed applicant waiver form from the program area
- Resume
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Recommended for success
Attend an information session prior to applying for this program. For more information and to register for an information session visit the Forensics website.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) lets student use knowledge and skills learned outside recognized programs to gain exemption for particular courses in the program. Contact the Program Assistant for details.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees pages for more information:
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Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
1. Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
Legal Framework - Common Core | |||
FSCT 7001 | Forensic Applications of Criminal Law 1: Legal Procedures | 2.5 | |
FSCT 7002 | Criminal Law 2: Legal Evidence | 2.5 | |
FSCT 7005 | Introducing Forensic Evidence at Trial | 1.0 | |
2. Complete 18.0 credits from the following list of Specialized Concentration and Electives courses: | Credits | ||
Specialized Concentration Investigative Framework Complete 0.0 - 3.0 credits of the following: |
|||
FSCT 7230 | Forensic Interviewing 1 | 2.0 | |
FSCT 7310 | Crime Scene Investigation | 3.0 | |
FSCT 7320 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3.0 | |
Applied Management Complete 0.0 - 3.0 credits of the following: |
|||
FSCT 7110 | Case Management for Major Crime Investigation | 3.0 | |
FSCT 7120 | Project Management for Investigations | 3.0 | |
Complete 12.0 - 18.0 credits from the following Biological Aspects, Chemical Aspects, Physical Aspects and electives: Biological Aspects |
|||
FSCT 8110 | Human Remains Recovery | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8120 | Forensic Odontology | 2.0 | |
FSCT 8130 | Forensic Pathology | 1.0 | |
FSCT 8140 | Forensic Entomology | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8150 | Forensic Biology: DNA Typing Theory | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8160 | Forensic Biology: DNA Typing Applications | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8170 | Human Osteology | 3.0 | |
Chemical Aspects |
|||
FSCT 8210 | Explosive and Fire Accelerants | 2.0 | |
FSCT 8220 | Trace Chemical Evidence | 2.0 | |
FSCT 8230 | The Medicolegal Aspects of Alcohol | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8240 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8250 | Drug Analysis | 3.0 | |
Physical Aspects |
|||
FSCT 8302 | Advanced Digital Imaging Techniques | 2.0 | |
FSCT 8303 | Geographic Profiling 1 | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8304 | Geographic Profiling 2 | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8310 | Questioned Document Examination | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8320 | The Science of Fingerprints - Theory | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8330 | Principles and Methods of Firearms and Toolmark Examination | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8340 | Forensic Photography | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8350 | Forensic Video Technologies | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8351 | CCTV and Forensic Examination | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8352 | Forensic Video Examinations | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8353 | Forensic Video Analysis: Advanced Tools & Techniques | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8354 | Forensic Video Analysis: Photographic/Video Comparison | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8360 | Forensic Imaging Techniques | 3.0 | |
Electives Forensic Science Option |
|||
FSCT 8010 | Forensic Behavioural Science | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8101 | Forensic Anthropology 2: Urban Crime Scene | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8102 | Selected Topics in Forensic Investigation | 3.0 | |
FSCT 8201 | Environmental Forensic Investigations | 2.0 | |
FSCT 8301 | Forensic Art | 1.0 | |
Elective courses may also be selected from the specialized concentration courses in the Forensic Investigation - Crime and Intelligence Analysis program. Please contact the program coordinator for further details. | |||
Total Credits: | 24.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
Program length
Students work through their chosen curriculum at their own pace, therefore, the total length required to finish the program can vary. At six credits per term, the Advanced Certificate Program can take five terms to complete.
Grading
Depending on the course learning outcomes, students will be graded on a combination of the following:
- Participation in in-class exercises
- Participation in and completion of case studies
- Participation in discussion forums
- Submission of completed projects
- Submission of completed assignments
- Quizzes
- Mid-term and final examinations
The minimum passing grade for each course is 60%.
Additional program options
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
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Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Graduates from the Forensic Science Option may be employed in a range of investigative positions, depending on the student’s academic background and work experience. This may include:
- Technologist, Analyst or Scientist (with an advanced degree(s)) in a Forensic Laboratory
- Police Officer
- Coroner
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Dave McKay, Program Head
After completing his BSc in molecular biology at Simon Fraser University in 2002, Dave then pursued an advanced certificate in forensic science technology at BCIT, where he developed his passion for forensics. He combined his background in science with his knowledge of cinematography, photography and computers to specialize in the field of forensic video analysis and surveillance technology. During his 6 years with the RCMP, Dave testified in court as an expert witness in the field of forensic video analysis and surveillance technology on multiple occasions.
As manager of BCIT’s Forensic Video and Surveillance Technology lab, Dave oversees all training in the areas of: forensic video, imaging, cell-phone forensics, and surveillance video technology. Additionally, the lab acts as an authority on video and photographic evidence – offering its expertise on many high profile cases, including the recent Braidwood Inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski. Dave McKay and the lab were recently featured on the Discovery channel’s “Daily Planet”.
Dave McKay’s current research interests include the development of advanced real-time video analysis software, self-sufficient intelligent camera systems, and complex forensic databases for the purpose of linkage through visual identification.
email: david_mckay@bcit.ca
Phone: 604.432.8238
Fiona Kerr, Program Assistant
email: fkerr@bcit.ca
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Contact Us
David McKay, Program Coordinator
604.432.8238
email: david_mckay@bcit.ca
BCIT Forensics
BCIT_forensics@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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