The theme of the Forensic Identification Training Conference, from March 8 to 12, is Standards and Certification – Foundations in Science.

The conference will tackle certification and accreditation in the wake of the release of a U.S. National Research Council report calling for better accreditation among police forensic personnel. The Ontario Police College is introducing a standardized forensic recertification exam this year.

“Certification is the direction we’re going in,” Forensic Identification Services (FIS) D/Sgt Dennis Buligan said, of standardizing forensic requirements across the province.

“In the courtroom, it shows that we’re credible and maintain standards, as well as keep up to date with technology.”

An advanced Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) program will offer an opportunity for officers to augment their initial SOCO training, and a footwear certification exam will allow officers to gain a new skill.

Beyond training, the conference, presented by FIS as well as the Centre for Forensic Sciences, is a great opportunity for officers, scientists and forensic students to network and learn from each other, Buligan said.

“It gives participants a chance to network

with different disciplines within forensic science and allows people to keep up to date with what’s going on in different fields,” Buligan said, pointing a lecture on progress in DNA collection.

He said the conference, the largest of its kind in the province, draws on officers from across Ontario to see an international array of presenters, benefits the Service.

“We get a chance to train a large number of people in one location,” Buligan said.

“It’s costeffective bringing speakers and experts to us.”

Cases being highlighted:

- The Shirley McKie case: The father and fingerprint expert who helped exonerate a female police officer in Scotland was on trial for perjury

- The Bandidos Investigation: The lead forensic investigator in the Bandidos biker massacre, OPP Const. Ross Stewart, talks about the execution-
style slayings of eight outlaw bikers

- DNA Case studies: Forensic casework analyst Curtis Hildebrandt takes a look at the historical cases of Amelia Erhardt and the unidentified
child from the Titanic Goudge report: Justice Stephen Goudge speaks about the inquiry into pediatric forensic pathology in Ontario.

Toronto Police Service and Centre For Forensic Science members pay $275. Members of external organizations pay $380.

To register, visit torontopolice.on.ca/seminars/forensic/