FSC407 Application (Non-Capstone)

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, March 28, 2025

JUMP TO APPLICATION FORM HERE.
IMPORTANT: Before filling out this application, ensure that you have read and understood the instructions, eligibility and requirements below. 

 

Course Description

A field course to complement the material covered in both FSC300H5F, Forensic Identification & FSC302H5, Advanced Forensic Identification. The field school will be held on the U of T Mississauga Campus over a 2-week period during the summer term and during weekly two hour labs in the fall term. In these classes, students will experience practical exposure to field and laboratory methods related to evidence recognition, collection and interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on the types of evidence collected, processed, and analyzed by forensic identification specialists. General evidence and small object photography techniques will be an important component of the course. [104P]

Topics covered include :

  • the duties of a forensic identification specialist
  • scene documentation techniques
  • different types of evidence
  • scene preservation and management techniques – protocols
  • evidence visualization techniques
  • advanced fingerprint development techniques
  • footwear impression evidence recovery and preservation techniques (2 and 3 dimensional impressions)
  • basic blood stain patterns and the application of blood stain analysis in a crime scene investigation
  • crime scene reconstruction through use of 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry/cloud comparison
  • fire scene investigations
  • evidence collection using archaeological recovery techniques (including human remains)
  • hazardous scenes (CBRNE) and restoring scenes to pre-contaminated condition
  • identification process relating to friction ridge and footwear impression evidence through the use of comparator software programs and analysis reports
  • presentation of crime scene evidence

Location

The August field school and the Fall term laboratory sessions take place on the UTM campus.

Course Delivery and Timeline

Students must be avaialbe for both the August fieldwork and the laboratory classes in the Fall term.  Participation in summer fieldwork is a required component of the course.  This course is typically offered every year.

  • Fieldwork takes place from 9 am to 5 pm over two consecutive weeks:  from Monday August 19, to Friday August 30, 2024 (excluding weekends).
  • Weekly two-hour laboratory classes are held during the fall term.

Fees and supplies to be purchased:

  • Students are only charged Fall Registration for the course; there are no summer tuition charges.
  • Students must submit a non-refundable ancillary fee of $35.00 CAD to the UTM Forensic Science Program prior to being enrolled in the course via ROSI/ACORN. (The ancillary fee covers the cost of minor field school supplies. All excavation equipment will be supplied.)
  • Students are required to supply their own compact flash memory card for the photography portion of the course (minimum 1 GB), which can be kept by the student after the duration of the course. All other materials will be supplied.
  • Students must buy CSA-approved steel-toed work boots (hiking boot style is acceptable).
  • For the field school portion, students are expected to wear clothing appropriate for outdoor/field work (long pants), including boots.

Eligibility and prerequisites

  • Students must have completed FSC239Y5, FSC300H5, and FSC302H5, or have the instructor’s approval to register in the course. If the course prerequisites are not met, the submitted application will be considered as an application for the instructor’s approval. Every student wishing to take FSC407H5 must submit a completed form. Preference for course enrollment will go to University of Toronto Mississauga students registered in the Forensic Science Degree ERSPE/ERMAJ Programs, then FSC Minors.
  • Students must have the approval (by way of field school application) of the UTM Forensic Science program before being enrolled in the course on ROSI/ACORN. Approval will be based on number of credits completed, area of concentration, academic standing, course background and/or previous courses.
  • This field school course is only open to University of Toronto students. First priority will be given to UTM students. Enrolment is limited.

Application and enrolment process

  1. Request departmental approval to enrol in the course by submitting the online Field School Application Form. 
  2. Check your @mail.utoronto.ca email account for the results of your application (confirmation emails will be sent out within the next month after the deadline). You will receive departmental approval to enrol in this course by email.
  3. The department will enrol you in the course via ACORN (when enrolment is open). 

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact the Program Officer at murray.clayton@utoronto.ca.

 

IMPORTANT: Before filling out this application, ensure that you have read and understood the instructions, eligibility and requirements above. 

FSC407H5F includes a two week field school experience prior to the September semester, running Monday August 19, to Friday August 30, 20243 (excluding weekends).

Application Form