Centre of Forensic Sciences
Centre of Forensic Science
Ministry of Public Safety and Security

Public Safety Branch

FMO, EMO, OCC
Centre of Forensic Science
CFS Mandate
Provide excellent scientific laboratory services in
support of the administration of the justice system and
public safety programs
provide scientific examinations and interpretations
present independent objective expert testimony
to provide educational services to our client groups
conduct R&D to improve the quality of our work
Who are our clients?
 Pathologists and Coroners
 Police
 Attorneys
 Crown attorneys
 Defense attorneys
 Other Investigative Agencies (OFM)
Centre of Forensic Sciences
Centre Receiving Office
Biology
Chemistry
Documents and Photoanalysis
Electronics and Gaming
Firearms and Toolmarks
Toxicology
Centre Receiving Office
Responsible for receiving, screening and
distributing all incoming samples to the
various sections throughout the CFS.
Establish chain of custody of evidence
Biology Section
 Crimes against people
– sexual assault,assault, homicides, hit and run
 Some cases of crimes against property
– burglary, vandalism
 DNA profiling
– blood, semen, hair
– for genetic matches in crimes or for identification purposes
 Blood stain pattern interpretation
 Examination of hair and fibre evidence
Chemistry Section
 Conducts chemical and physical analyses
– paint, glass, fire debris, explosives, soils, metals, plastics and
petroleum products
 Thermal Desorption GC-MS
– identification of volatile ignitable liquids in fire debris
 Manual Headspace GC-MS
– identification of alcohols, ketones, HC gases
 Pyrolysis GC-MS
– identification of paints and polymers, lachrymators and
explosives
 Metallurgical and mechanical testing
Documents and Photoanalysis
 Examine handwriting and machine produced documents
–
–
–
–
–
–
Authenticity
Handwriting
Alterations
Erasures
Impressions
Signature comparison
 Restoration and decipherment of damaged documents
 Image enhance photographs and video
 Take staff pictures and analyze photographs video
Electronics and Gaming
 Examine electrical and electronic equipment
– To establish malfunction, misuse, or criminal use
 Check magnetic recordings for tampering
 Check mechanical and video gaming machines
– Do they function as games of chance
– Conform to regulations governing gaming devices
Firearms and Toolmarks
 Examine firearms and ammunition:
– classify, test and check the mechanical condition of firearms
– identify type of weapon a bullet came from
– cross check items with unsolved cases
– examine wounds and shooting distance determinations
 Examine tools and the marks left by them
– prying tools - tire irons, screwdrivers and pry bars
– cutting tools - knives and axes
– pinching tools - pliers, cutters and crimpers
Toxicology Section
5th & 6th floor at CFS in Toronto
NRL in Sault Ste. Marie
Staff of 45
– Clerical
– Managers
– Scientists
– Technologists
4000-5000 cases per year
Toxicology Services
 Laboratory analysis of human body tissues
and fluids; non-biological materials
 Interpretation of findings
 Written and viva voce opinion evidence
 Breath testing program in Ontario
 Scientific research
 Training and Education
Types of Cases
 Death Investigations
– No anatomical COD, COD but impairment issue
– SIDS (< 2 years old) with no anatomical COD
– Occupational/Workplace Accidents (Inquest)
– Death in Custody (Inquest)
– Aviation deaths
– Homicides
– Fatal MVA
– Fire Death Investigations
 Sexual Assault & Administer noxious substance
 Impaired driving
 Attempted murder, assaults & poisoning
No analysis cases
 Traumatic injuries due to suicide
– Hangings and self-inflicted Gun Shot Wounds
 Passengers in fatal MVA
 Deaths clearly ascribed to natural causes
– Old age
– Cancer
 Deaths in hospitals >24-36 hours after admission
 Criminal cases: No history of drugs/alcohol use
 No validated method available
Where do samples come from?
Biological
– Autopsies, Sexual Assault and DWI
– Blood, urine, stomach contents, liver,
vitreous, muscle, spleen,
Non-biological
– Crime scene evidence
– Tablets, spoons, syringes, powders, cups,
etc…
Autopsy samples
Blood
heart
peripheral
Urine
Vitreous humour
Stomach contents
Liver
Bile
Sexual Assault/Date Rape
 Blood
 Urine
 No analysis cases
– No history
– > 24 hours
Blood kits
 Cannot provide a roadside breath sample
 Blood demand is made
 Taken by Doctor or Nurse
 2 tubes of blood are taken
 2nd tube available for defense
Non-Biological samples
Syringes
Pipes
Cans
Bottles
Food
Non-Biological samples
 Powders
 Liquids
 Tablets
 Pastes
 Oils
 Cigarettes
How are analyses ordered?
 Amount and type of sample
 Drugs to be analyzed
 General guidelines
 Case history
–
–
–
–
–
–
Age and sex of victim, medical history, drug use history
Medications recently ingested
Symptoms reported by victim or observed by witnesses
Time of occurrence and time of specimen collection
Hobbies and interests of the victim or suspect
Occupation of the victim or suspect
 EXPERIENCE !!!!
IA Analytical group
Immunoassay is a screening technique used
to detect the presence or absence of a drug or
class of drugs in blood, serum and urine.
LC Analytical group
HPLC with diode array detectors (DAD)
Analyze for over 100 drugs
– Acetaminophen, barbiturates, mefenamic acid,
midazolam, oxazepam, salicylate …….
GC Analytical group
Alcohol screen
Carbon Monoxide
General Drug Screen
Single Quants
MS Analytical group
Confirmations
Identifications
Targeted Analysis using deuterated interal
Report Generation
interpretation of toxicological findings
therapeutic, toxic or fatal
Toxicology
Report
impairment
drug interactions
postmortem changes in drug levels
review of toxicological/pharmacological
literature and experience
Training (Scientist)
Educational background (B.Sc., MSc.
Ph.D.)
– toxicology, pharmacology, chemistry,
biochemistry, physiology, biology,
environmental science
On-the-job training
(2-3 years)
Training (Technologist)
Educational background (Diploma, B.Sc.)
On-the-job training
months