Forensic Identification Overview

Question 1

Define forensics

2

Answer 1

• Belonging to, used in or suitable to the courts or to public discussion and debate
• Relating to or dealing with application of scientific knowledge to legal problems

Question 2

List the three main types of science

Answer 2

• Natural science
• Academic/theory based
• Laboratory

Question 3

Define natural science

Answer 3

A science (such as physics, chemistry, biology) that studies the physical and natural world or the events that happen in nature.

Question 4

List the roles of the forensic scientist.

Answer 4

• Work in a laboratory
• Examining and analyzing evidence with tools and techniques specific to their specialty

Question 5

List the forensic laboratories in Canada.

5

Answer 5

• RCMP laboratories in Edmonton, Vancouver and Ottawa
• CFS
• Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de medecine legale

Question 6

List forensic specialties.

9

Answer 6

Forensic
* Biology
* Chemistry
* Toxicology
* Questioned documents examination
* Firearms and tool mark examination
* Entomology
* Anthropology
* Odontology
* Botany

Question 7

What is the ultimate goal of forensic sciences and identification?

Answer 7

Seek the truth…
To learn the who, what, why, when and how

Question 8

List the secitons of CFS.

8

Answer 8

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Toxicology
• Pathology
• Entomology
• Photo and video analysis
• Questioned/indented writings
• Ballistics/firearms

Question 9

Describe forensic identification.

Answer 9

Applied science based on scientific methodology but investigative based

Question 10

List different officers involved in forensic identification

4

Answer 10

• Forensic identification officers
• Scenes of crime officers
• Uniform (sworn) officers
• Forensic identification technicians (new)

Question 11

List the offices with forensic identification technicians.

3

Answer 11

• RCMP
• York Regional Police
• Niagara Regional Police

Question 12

Outline the Police Services Act ON Regulation 3/99 Adequacy and Effectiveness of Police Services s. 3.

What is required?

Answer 12

Forensic investigators/scenes of crime officers has to successfully complete the required training accredited by the Ministry (or equivalencies approve by Ministry).
Ensured by chief of polce

Question 13

According to the Police Services Act ON Regulation 3/99 Adequacy and Effectiveness of Police Services s. 5(1), what shall police services have?

4

Answer 13

• A communications centre
• A criminal intelligence capacity
• A crime analysis, call analysis and public disorder analysis capacity
• Investigative supports

Question 14

In what areas should police forces have investigative supports?

9

Answer 14

• Scenes of crime analysis
• Forensic identification
• Canine tracking
• Technical collision investigation, reconstruction
• Breath analysis
• Physical surveillance
• Electronic interception
• Video and photographic surveillance
• Polygraph and behavioural science

Question 15

Who/what dictates your role as a forensic identification officer?

Answer 15

Police Services Act ON Regulation 3/99 Adequacy and Effectiveness of Police Services

Question 16

What are some roles of forensic identification officers?

Answer 16

• Fingerprint analysis
• Footwear analysis
• 3D scanning
• Shooting incident reconstruction
• Bloodstain pattern analysis
• Crime scene management

Question 17

List some inaccuracies in forensic depictions in TV shows.

6

Answer 17

• Crime solved in 60 minutes
• Tests always work and result in a match
• Suspects often plant false leads
• Exotic locations with cool lighting effects and great vehicles
• Forensic investigators do it all… lab analysis, interviews, armed takedowns
• Enjoy their worl AND get paid big bucks