Forensic Identification
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Program Overview
The only program of its kind in Ontario, the Forensic Identification graduate certificate program provides you with leading-edge forensic knowledge and skills for public and private policing and laboratories. Designed for students who are interested in becoming frontline investigators, the program’s unique hands-on approach provides expert instruction utilizing the most modern criminal forensic technology within a specialized curriculum. You will study advanced fingerprint development and analysis, physical matching of footwear and tool marks, DNA and blood profiling, fraudulent document examination, death investigations, crime and disaster scene management, rules of evidence, and trial procedure.
Training takes place in our state-of-the-art crime scene studio and forensic lab located at the Humber Centre for Justice Leadership. This innovative facility features a simulation lab for processing forensic evidence from staged crime scenes including photography, fingerprint development, advanced evidence collection techniques and digital crime scene mapping. The Centre also features four interviewing labs for practising interviewing techniques. Finally, your forensic investigation skills and knowledge are put to the test in our mock courtroom.
Courses
At Humber, courses are delivered in a variety of formats:
In-Person - An in-person course is delivered fully on campus.
Online Asynchronous (A) - An online asynchronous course has no fixed class schedule and allows students to engage with the course at different times according to their needs. Faculty provide modules, which are completed independently by the students according to established deadlines.
Online Synchronous (S) - An online synchronous course is delivered fully online and requires faculty and students to participate in real-time according to a fixed schedule. Classes are scheduled for a specific day and time.
Hybrid - A hybrid course is a combination of in-person and online classes and follows a set schedule. Students must be available to attend in-person classes at scheduled times during the semester.
The chart below outlines the delivery options available for each course in this program, by campus. For some academic terms, there may be more than one delivery option available. You’ll be able to select your preferred options when building your course schedule during open enrolment. Preferences for course delivery will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Some Humber programs are also delivered fully online, where all courses are delivered online.
International students: the impact of studying from outside of Canada on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility differs significantly based on when you start your program. Please review the PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
| Course code and Name | Delivery Type by Location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Code | Course Name | North | Lakeshore | Downtown | DL/Online |
| Semester 1 | |||||
| FID 5000 | Introduction to Criminal Investigation | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5001 | Crime Scene Management | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5002 | Digital and Video Photography | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5003 | Fingerprint Development and Analysis | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5004 | Physical Matching | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5502 | Crime Scene Mapping | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| Semester 2 | |||||
| FID 5005 | DNA and Blood Profiling | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5500 | Disaster Scene Management | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5501 | Advanced Friction Ridge Development | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5505 | Court Preparation and Testimony | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5506 | Death Investigations | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FID 5507 | Forensic Technologies | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
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.
Alumni Success Story
Olivia Buffo Meets the Challenges of a Fascinating Career With Passion and Pride
Olivia Buffo, Forensic Identification, 2020, spent over two decades pursuing the career she developed a passion for as a child. In her home country of Brazil, she completed foundational training at the academic and professional levels to ensure she was entering a field where she could find success.
When she moved to Canada in 2016 and found Humber College, her dream quickly became a reality. She is now a Scenes of Crime Specialist at Peel Regional Police and part of a growing department where she puts her studies into practice daily.
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.
Recorded Information Sessions
Watch our recorded information sessions to learn more about the program and how it can boost your career.
Who is the Program for?
Learn more about the Forensic Identification program and if it's right for you.
About the Courses
Program co-ordinator Debbie Harris discusses the courses and learning outcomes.
Work-Integrated Learning
Experiential learning opportunities are a great way for students to practice their skills hands-on in the field.
Program Pathways
There are multiple careers and pathways available upon graduation.
Your Career
Upon completion of the program, graduates may find employment in:
- forensic and pathology agencies (public and private sector)
- public law enforcement such as municipal, provincial or federal police and regulatory agencies in a civilian forensic role
- provincial agencies such as the Ministry of the Attorney General, Office of Emergency Management, Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Chief Coroner, and Centre of Forensic Science
Related Programs
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Closed |
| May 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Closed |
| May 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Opening Soon |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Closed |
| May 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Opening Soon |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
News Feed
FSCS Programs Collaborate for Interpersonal Learning Event
Program Highlights
Faculty from Forensics Identification, PSI, DSW, and the SIM Lab team led students in an interprofessional crisis simulation event.
FSCS Hosts Hiring Information Sessions with York Regional Police Services
Program Highlights
York Regional Police (YRP) spoke to students at FSCS hiring information sessions in January 2024.
Crime Scene Investigation Inter-Collegiate Challenge
Program Highlights
Seneca - King Campus and Humber College collaborated to organize the inaugural Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) inter-collegiate challenge.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic 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.
