Semester 1
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Mitigate personal, public and legal risk during crime scene investigations by adhering to industry established ethical and technical standards
Document crime scenes using various methods including scale diagrams, models and charts to present forensic evidence in judicial proceedings
Preserve evidence using established forensic techniques and standards to aid investigations
Employ a range of fingerprint collection and analysis techniques to contribute to investigations
Evaluate the legality, reliability and limitations of forensic interviewing techniques to inform professional practices
Analyze bloodstain pattern evidence to establish its value, meaning and limitations
Articulate justification for arrest, search and seizure to aid in judicial proceedings
Assess the authenticity of documents to support and validate evidence in civil and criminal investigations
Communicate with colleagues and the public in high-stress environments to contribute to investigative goals and to maintain the human rights of everyone involved
What Makes This Program Different?
While there are several universities that offer forensic programs with a theoretical science-based curriculum, Humber is the only public college in Canada that provides a comprehensive hands-on approach to forensic identification.
From day one, we'll have you in our state-of-the-art labs, such as our crime scene lab, forensic studio, interview rooms, and our realistic mock courtroom, working on a variety of engaging forensic-based projects. In two semesters, you’ll develop career-ready skills in forensics, making you a highly desirable candidate to employers in the Criminal Justice field.
Is This Program Right for Me?
- Are you an analytical thinker?
- Able to work under pressure?
- Detail- and task-oriented?
- Articulate and systematic?
- Flexible in your expectations of working conditions?
- Able to remain calm, focused, detailed, and on-task in the face of disturbing, stressful and tragic circumstances?
If the answer is yes to all of the above, then you would make a perfect candidate for this program.
Projects You’ll Work On
In this program, you'll learn by doing. In our heavily project-based curriculum, you’ll develop expertise in forensic identification skills. Some projects you’ll be working on include:
- Casting footwear impressions
- Creating diagrams
- Blood Spatter Experiments
- Forensic Exhumation of a Body
- Mock Disaster Scene
- Creating a Crime Scene Model
- Mock Crime Scene taken through the investigation and into a Mock Court Room
Learn from Industry-Expert Instructors
Our professors and faculty are made up of current and retired forensic professionals. They bring decades of real-world experience and knowledge to the classroom, and, are dedicated to providing support and mentorship on your academic journey, ensuring you're ready for this demanding but rewarding career.
Students will also have the unique opportunity to gain additional support from lab technologists who are familiar with the equipment in the fingerprinting and photography classes. Students will receive practical advice, support, and a friendly, helping hand.
Learn in the Humber Centre for Justice Leadership
Students take classes in the Humber Centre for Justice Leadership, an 18,000-square-foot centre located on the Humber Lakeshore Campus. In the forensic lab – featuring leading-edge forensic technologies – get exposed to and become proficient with the latest, state-of-the-art forensic equipment.
Simulations are conducted in our crime scene lab, which features a small apartment in the centre of the classroom. Here, you’ll carry out forensic procedures and investigations. Interview rooms are adjacent to the classrooms to aid in practical forensic interviewing assignments. In our mock court, you’ll be tested on the admissibility of evidence in highly realistic scenarios where you will take on both the role of the crown and defence counsel.
We're committed to providing students with realistic working conditions, and sometimes, it's not always pretty. As a Forensic Investigator, you'll often have to work outside during harsh weather conditions, which is why some Fall classes will be set outside. For instance, photography assignments are sometimes done in the cold and rain, and the forensic exhumation of a body is carried out at a mock grave site on the Lakeshore property.
360° Crime Scene Lab
For mobile and tablet users, open the video in the YouTube app. For optimal viewing experience use Firefox or Chrome. Currently Safari does not support 360 videos.
Your Career
Upon completion of the program, graduates may find employment in public law enforcement such as municipal, provincial or federal police and regulatory agencies, border services, transit services, or correctional services. Graduates may wish to work as a civilian employee of a police service, a uniformed police officer as a scenes-of-crime officer, or in specialized units such as forensic identification or criminal investigations. They may also find employment in private policing as a corporate or insurance investigator.
Related Programs
Addictions and Mental Health
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Length: 3 semesters
Program Availability
| START DATE | LOCATION | STATUS | INTERNATIONAL STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2020 | Lakeshore | Waitlisted | Closed |
Forensic Identification at Humber
Watch the video to find out about what Forensic Identification students learn at Humber and about the live labs they have access to.
Humber
PSI Professor Publishes Article in Blue Line Magazine
Thu, October 31, 2019
PSI Professor, Kerry Watkins, published an article in Blue Line Magazine on dealing effectively with suspect ultimatums during police questions.
FSCS Welcomes Students and Faculty From the Nanjing Forest Police College
Tue, October 01, 2019
In September, the Faculty of Social and Community Services welcomed its third group of students from the Nanjing Forest Police College in China.
Criminal Justice Professor Gets Published in the Toronto Star
Tue, October 01, 2019
Criminal Justice Professor, Dr. Daniel Bear, has recently published an opinion editorial piece in the Toronto Star.
Daniel also recently presented his research at the Regulating Cannabis Edibles conference in Toronto. He is a drug policy expert, with more than 15 years of experience conducting research on a variety of policy issues.
No news at this time.
Faculty of Social & Community Services News
Powerful Pedagogy in Practice
Thu, October 24, 2019
Faculty and staff gathered on October 22nd for a fall conference organized by the FSCS Teaching and Learning Work Group (TLWG).
Go Abroad!
Wed, October 16, 2019
The FSCS will be offering three faculty-led programs abroad in May 2020. Students can accrue placement hours through participation.
FSCS Hosts Third Annual Alexandre Boucher Memorial Lecture
Fri, October 11, 2019
The Faculty of Social and Community Service hosted its third annual Alexandre Boucher Memorial Lecture as part of Mental Health Month.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On June 29, 2018, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Fees
The 2020-2021 fee for two semesters is:
- domestic: $7,052.16
- international: $17,027.00
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | Domestic Fee | International Fee* |
| Total | $3,526.08 | $8,303.50 |
| Tuition | $3,000.24 | $7,777.66 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $469.89 | $469.89 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $55.95 | $55.95 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Semester 2 | Domestic Fee | International Fee* |
| Total | $3,526.08 | $8,303.50 |
| Tuition | $3,000.24 | $7,777.66 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $469.89 | $469.89 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $55.95 | $55.95 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Pathways
Pathways are academic routes that students can take to move from one credential to another.
How to Apply
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
