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1) CBRNE Forensic Workshop- From Crime Scene to Courtroom sponsored by the CBRN Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI). The objective of this workshop is to explore the current state of Canadian CBRNE preparedness from the perspective of a criminal investigation. The intended scope of this workshop is to progress from the crime scene examination to the scientific laboratory and identify a seamless process that is capable of producing courtroom quality forensic evidence.

Presentations from federal, provincial and municipal CBRNE trained forensic identification specialists and scientists will be delivered.

The morning session will focus on CBRNE crime scene processing and will involve the presentations listed below. The session will end with a panel discussion to accommodate audience participation (i.e. identify concerns, issues that still need to be addressed). Speakers include Steve Patrick, FBI HazMat Response Unit (HMRU) on the FBI’s threat assessment and risk-based response model as well as the Joint HazMat Assessment Team’s (JHAT) role in special events. S/Sgt. Carl McDiamid (RCMP CBRN FIS Coordinator) will present on the crime scene investigation, collection, packaging and transportation of exhibits. Det. Sgt. Denis Buligan (Toronto Police Services, CBRN FIS) to present on Personal Protective Equipment. Eamon McGee (Centre of Forensic Sciences, Chemistry Section) to give a presentation on detection equipment.

The afternoon session will focus on laboratory processing of samples of CBRNE materials as well as forensic examination of evidence and should also end with a panel discussion to identify gaps and needs. Presentations include: Denis Nelson (RCMP, Forensic Laboratory Services and CBRN Research & Technology Initiative) will provide an overview of the federal scientific laboratories that are equipped and able to accept contaminated samples for examination. Government agencies that participate in the National CBRNE Response Team will describe their facilities and protocols for receiving samples -Steven Jones (PHAC), Scott Holowachuk (DRDC Suffield) and Carey Larsson (DRDC Ottawa).

Many government agencies have created national chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) response teams as part of a CBRNE event management strategy. These response teams are multidisciplinary, comprised of numerous individuals with varied and specialized knowledge, whom are responsible for mitigating and investigating such an event. Peace officers such as forensic identification specialists and bomb disposal technicians as well as scientists (forensic or otherwise) whom are involved in the forensic investigation of a CBRNE event would be ideal participants for this workshop.

Drug Recognition Workshop - Canada's New Proposed Drug Impaired Driving Legislation: The Advocate's Role an overview of the DRE program, a lecture on each of the 7 DRE classes of drugs (depressants, inhalants, PCP, cannabis, stimulants, hallucinogenic and narcotics), an update on Canadian Legislation and a final open forum discussion on successes and challenges.

Forensic Alcohol and Toxicology Workshop – A segmented session on alcohol and drugs which would appeal to both scientists and police officers.

Wound Ballistics - A firearms workshop specifically designed for members of the Forensic Identification community and crime scene investigators. This workshop is designed to provide attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand wound ballistics or identify a bullet impact at a crime scene and conduct a preliminary assessment of the damage.

Foundations of Forensic Science - Forensic science is an historical science: the events in question have already occurred and are in the past. Forensic scientists do not view the crime as it occurs (unless they’re a witness); they assist the investigation through the analysis of the physical remains of the criminal activity. Many sciences, such as geology, astronomy, archaeology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology, work in the same way—no data is seen as it is created but only the remnants, or ‘proxy data’, of those events are left behind. Archaeologists, for example, analyze cultural artifacts of past civilizations to interpret their activities and practices. Likewise, forensic scientists analyze evidence of past criminal events to interpret the actions of the perpetrator(s) and victim(s).

Management and Economic Issues in Forensic Science - Public scientific laboratories are often referred to as “businesses.” An important distinction exists between scientific laboratories and traditional businesses—whereas management principles for traditional business suit organizations with repetitive tasks and mass production, research and development in laboratories focuses on innovation and novel techniques. Whereas other businesses may change by modifying production lines, scientific change consists of development of new facilities or incorporation of novel technologies. Forensic science laboratories, however, fall somewhere in between these easy categorizations: While scientific, they are very production oriented.

The goals, processes, and outcomes of publicly sponsored forensic science laboratories are under increasing scrutiny. Expectations of the benefits forensic science can provide are escalating at the same time that fears and concerns about accuracy, privacy, and timeliness are also on the rise. Disruptive change in the external environment of forensic science – privatization, information technologies, the emphasis on commercialization and intellectual property protection, and ever increasing workloads – is requiring managers of forensic science to rethink or adapt their goals, strategy, organizational design, partnerships, work processes, and technologies. Managers of forensic science are stewards of the public good and of essential national capabilities. At the same time, they are expected to employ effective management practices and to understand and reflect the new insights and perspectives emerging from the management and organization sciences. This is a significant challenge.

Typically, however, forensic managers have neither the skills nor the tools with which to address these challenges. Questions that are straight-forward in the private sector (“When is it feasible to outsource?”, “Do we invest in people or capital equipment?”, What is our return on investment for a new technology?”) are less so for public forensic laboratories. This presentation will discuss these issues and potential remedies for forensic managers.

Response to the Thailand Tsunami –On December 26, 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a massive tsunami, resulting in a horrific loss of life in several surrounding countries. The effects were felt around the world, as the disaster affected many popular vacation sites. Canada joined other nations in sending expert personnel to assist with the identification of the deceased. In this Plenary Session, various members of the Canadian team will discuss their unique experiences and the challenges they faced in the days and weeks following the tsunami (Note: A similar plenary session was presented at last year’s CSFS conference in Calgary). Presenters Dr. Barry McLellan, Insp. Brian Andrews, S/Sgt. Kevin Miller and Dr. Ross Barlow.

DNA Warrant Sample Collection Workshop – presented by Melissa Kell and Sobia Malik, Forensic Biologists, Centre of Forensic Sciences, Toronto, representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Police College. This is a required course to provide police officers with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to properly collect a DNA sample from a suspected person named in a warrant. Topics include general overviews of the theoretical considerations for collecting and preserving samples, Bill C-104/C-3, medical and humane considerations and the National DNA Databank. Evaluation and issuance of a certificate will be based on the successful completion of a practical training exercise and a written test.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis – research and forensic applications presented by Dr. Dean Hildebrand
B.C. Institute of Technology (Forensics Department) and Dr. Dongya Yang, Simon Fraser University (Department of Archaeology). The study of the mitochondrial genome has advanced steadily with advances in molecular technologies and ever increasing amounts of published sequence information. A search of “mitochondrial DNA” on Medline shows close to 20,000 published articles since 1964 with almost 9000 of those consisting of human-focused studies. Of great assistance to the latter, the complete human mtDNA genome sequence was reported 25 years ago. This important marker system, with high-copy number, uniparental (maternal) inheritance pattern, high mutation rate and lack of recombination, has been used extensively in population level studies for numerous species. The use of mtDNA in forensics was heralded in the mid 1990’s with the high profile Romanov case and since then has been moving into mainstream testing in many countries in spite of additional technical challenges and limitations.

The goal of this half-day workshop is to introduce the attendees to the science of mitochondrial DNA and is based on the presenters’ experiences in areas of forensic and ancient DNA studies. The workshop will begin with an overview of the biology of this unique genome followed by current research activities and forensic applications within the field. No prior experience in this field is required to attend.

Gene Mapper ID Workshop – (half day Tue AM or PM) Workshop presented by Applied Biosystems

A demo/presentation of Gene Mapper ID.

Documents Workshop - This two part workshop will cover two topics of interest to all forensic document examiners. One topic will be a demonstration of the use of video conferencing to assist investigators with cases.

A series of presentations by manufacturers on the latest innovations & novel Identification and Laboratory Techniques – This topic will allow novel techniques to be presented by exhibitors.

Papers and Posters – Scientific presentations on various forensic disciplines.

Footwear Certification – (half day Tuesday AM). Footwear Certification / Workshop - presented by Robert Kennedy

This 1/2 day workshop will cover all areas of footwear identification, including the manufacturing processes, crime scene recovery, comparison processes, and presentation of our findings in a court of law.

We will discuss in depth the value of even one random characteristic and methods to ensure that the characteristics are actually random and not class characteristics formed during the manufacturing process.

The scientific principles and methodologies will be discussed with emphasis on how they should be used and eventually explained in court, illustrated with real case examples. This workshop is open to all attendees at the conference, but any candidate taking this workshop that meets the certification criteria has the option of writing the CIS Certification Exam following the workshop.

Anyone deciding to take this option must fill out an application form prior to the workshop, with a cheque made out to the Canadian Identification Society.

Entomology – a workshop on the identification of insects in found deceased persons.

Accreditation for Forensic Identification – a half day session presented by Pat Letourneau, Standards Council of Canada and the Centre of Forensic Sciences on issues relating to the implementation of accreditation for identification services..

CSI Effect & Forensic Education – A symposium with multiple speakers and an open panel discussion, than a single workshop on forensic education, careers and the CSI effect as these are interrelated.

The examination of the sticky side of tapes for the recovery of fingerprints impressions – presented by Matthew Lewandowski and Rick Devine
This workshop will be done in a lab at the University. Mathew Lewandowski (OPP crime lab) and Rick Devine will be presenting methods of retrieving fingerprints from tapes. This will include several chemical methods of enhancement as well as using techniques to separate the tape.

Photographic techniques: “advanced flash techniques.” - presented by Jim Goodwin
This workshop will be conducted with the Nikon Digital cameras showing a photographic technique known as "Rear curtain flash" and a second technique know as "digital multi flash". This workshop would be about one hour in duration.

Casting and collection of footwear impressions – presented by Mike Souliere.
This workshop is designed for the participants to either refresh themselves or learn "the collection of 2D and 3D footwear impressions from hard and soft surfaces". A lecture followed by a demonstration on the use of an electrostatic lifter to lift a 2D footwear impression from a hard surface as well as demonstrate casting a footwear impression in soil. The candidates themselves would then be challenged with documenting and collecting, (pouring a cast) footwear evidence.

Novel Laboratory Techniques – Various presentations

Detecto-Print – presented by John Olenik