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Forensic Identification Services
Scenes of Crime Section
The Scenes of Crime Section is staffed primarily by police officers trained
as Forensic Identification Officers, attending calls for service throughout
Toronto, 24 hours a day.
Services
performed by members of the section include:
- Examining crime, death and fire scenes, industrial
accidents, explosions and other suspicious incidents
- Photographing
and videotaping various scenes and victims
- Collecting fingerprint
and palmprint impressions from crime scenes as well as other
forensic evidence such as footwear, blood and other trace evidence
- Comparing
crime scene prints and footwear to those of suspects
- Submitting
biological, chemical and toxicological evidence to The Centre
of Forensic Sciences from major crime scenes
- Providing expert advice
and equipment to assist investigators either via telephone or
attendance at scenes
- Providing assistance to divisional uniform
Scenes Of Crime Officers
- Collection of DNA samples from persons
by consent or warrant
- Providing charts and photographs of forensic
evidence for court purposes and giving expert testimony relating
to the examinations conducted and their results
- Several officers
in the Section are trained CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological
Nuclear) response members
Scenes of Crime Officers involved in a CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) exercise
The following items are some of the portable examination equipment at the disposal of FIS officers to assist in the investigation of crime scenes:
| ITEM |
PURPOSE |
| Alternate Light Sources |
Coherent portable laser, Luma and Poly Lights to assist in searching for biological and chemical trace evidence |
| Blood Reagents |
Amido black, Bluestar, Leucomalachite Green, Leuco Crystal Violet and Luminol |
| Casting Material |
Variety of casting materials including Accutrans, dental stone, Microsil and sulphur for recovery of footwear and tool-mark impressions |
| Digital Cameras |
Officers are issued digital SLR cameras with a variety of lenses and filters |
| Electrostatic lifter |
Pathfinder Electrostatic machines for recovery of footwear impressions in dust |
| Fingerprint Kit |
Powders, tapes, brushes, swabs, measuring devices, seals and acetates used in the examination of crime scenes and collection of evidence |
| Lighting Systems |
Portable generators and auxiliary lighting systems including halogen balloon lights |
| Metal Detectors |
To locate metallic evidence in the field e.g. shell casings |
A Forensic Identification Officer uses a swab to collect biological trace evidence
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