The Forensic equipment that Humber offers students in the Crime Scene Simulation Studio is entirely impressive in scope. The varied array of tools that are made available to students are all state-of-the-art equipment that’s the latest in technology available to the crime solving industry. This benefit to students is huge, as Police departments won’t have to waste time retraining students but can have them step right in and play a vital role from the get-go.
Crime Scene and Forensic Studio
The Crime Scene Lab and Forensic Studio allow students to engage in project-based experiential learning. Students participate in processing staged crime scenes using photography, fingerprint development, advanced evidence collection techniques, and digital crime scene mapping. Solutions require critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration and assists the student in understanding the potential gaps between theory and practice. These labs provide the opportunity for students to become empowered in their own learning environment.
Forensic Lab Project Highlight
In the Advanced Friction Ridge Development, the students are given various assignments which include the use of the cyanoacrylate and ninhydrin cabinets which are used to show the various ways to develop prints in a forensic lab. The students must demonstrate how each cabinet works, and for the Ninhydrin demonstration, the students must be able to articulate and show how nervousness can affect a person' fingerprints since ninhydrin reacts with adrenalin glands (a nervous person will sweat more). The students will experiment with how time can affect the results. The students will treat some papers at the start of the semester, and then treat some others a few weeks later and articulate the differences observed.
Forensic Studio Equipment Highlight
Full spectrum cameras extend the photographic reach of students into the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums for enhanced crime scene documentation, revealing evidence not visible to the naked eye. The Coherent Laser has the ability to utilize alternate light sources for the development of fingerprints and bodily fluids. The VSC80 also uses full light spectrum sensitivity to enhance document examination - this would not be normally found in a Forensic Identification unit. Students are supplied with a professional quality camera kit for the duration of the program to ensure they become proficient in its use at crime and accident scenes.
The 3-D scanner is leading-edge for police services and represents the best technology available for crime scene mapping. Since 2010, numerous police services including Toronto, NYPD, RCMP and the OPP have deployed laser scanning systems for advanced documentation of crime and crash scenes. The Faro S150 scanner used in FI-403 Crime Scene Mapping & Diagrams is cutting-edge technology that captures 976,000 measurement points per second at an accuracy of 2mm over 25m combined with HDR colour capture to create precise photo-realistic 3-D images.
Lab equipment meets or exceeds the equipment commonly found in police Forensic Identification Units. The hands-on training is practical and provides insight into the use of leading-edge equipment.
Capstone Project Highlight
During the capstone course, “Court Preparation and Testimony”, students play the role of actors to stage a crime scene within the lab. The Forensic Identification students must investigate and process the crime scene by applying the knowledge and skills they have gained over the term and utilize all of the forensic equipment available to them. The students then create 3D crime scene models, photo logs, fingerprint and footwear evidence, along with the collection of forensic evidence including DNA. The students then present their evidence, illustrations and reports in the Court Room where they are subject to a Voir Dire hearing to test the admissibility of their evidence. This applies to the curriculum by utilizing the program learning outcomes from a variety of courses within the Forensic Identification program.
