PSRV10146
Forensic & Crime Scene Investigation |
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First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.
Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.
Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.
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Section I: Administrative Information
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Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2026
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A |
Program(s):
Police Foundations
Program Coordinator(s):
Jessica McLean
Course Leader or Contact: Harris Huska
Version: 20260105_00
Status: Approved (APPR)
Section I Notes:
This course is offered as an in class lecture and participatory based interactive class.
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Section II: Course Details
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Detailed Description
Students examine the forensic procedures required for a criminal investigation. Students analyze the rules of physical evidence that are mandated by legislation and regulatory authorities for the collection and presentation of evidence. Students explore the roles, responsibilities and interactions between police and key external partners such as the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Center of Forensic Sciences. Students consider a number of technological and scientific processes used in the preparation and presentation of physical evidence in court. Students compare various types of physical evidence and complete an introductory practical fingerprint analysis.
Program Context
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| Police Foundations |
Program Coordinator(s):
Jessica McLean |
This is a third term course that builds on previous curriculum introduced in the first two terms of the program. Crime scene investigation is one of the most crucial and fundamental elements of police work. A basic understanding of crime scene investigations, continuity of evidence and the presentation of evidence in court is a vocational requirement.
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Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
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Critical Performance: |
| By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to apply the crime scene procedures used for screening, searching, recording, collecting and presenting physical evidence in court.
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Learning Outcomes:
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
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- Explain investigative interactions between physical evidence and crime scene investigation.
- Explain the legislative and regulatory requirements for the processing of physical evidence and their admissibility in a criminal trial.
- Distinguish between various technological and scientific processes utilized in the collection, preparation and presentation of physical evidence.
- Examine crime scene procedures for securing, searching, recording, collecting and presenting physical evidence in accordance with Provincial Adequacy Standards in the Police Services Act.
- Utilize case studies and presentations of physical evidence in compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements (Canadian Evidence Act) and relevant case law.
- Explain the relationship between crime scene investigators, forensic investigators, and other participants in the criminal justice system.
- Identify the probative value of different kinds of physical evidence.
- Appreciate the importance of using evidence in a probative manner and not a probative fashion.
- Apply ethical standards as set out in the Adequacy Standards Regulations in the Police Services Act when handling and processing physical evidence.
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Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
| | Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
| | Practical Exercise | 15.0% | | | Individual Fingerprint Assignment | 10.0% | | | Midterm exam | 20.0% | | | Group Case Study - Crime Scene report | 30.0% | | | Final Exam | 25.0% | | Total | 100.0% |
Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure: All projects and exercises must be submitted on or before the date and time specified. Late assignments will receive a 10% grade reduction per day, as provided in Sheridan College policies. Work more than one week late (on the 8th day after the due date, or 5 school days) will not be graded unless a prior arrangement has been made with the instructor. There will be no resubmission of work unless, under exceptional circumstances, this has been agreed to or suggested by the instructor.
If there is a valid reason for the late submission, the student must notify the professor no later than the date the project is due to indicate it will be late. If the reason is deemed to be valid, there will be no late penalty.
FAHCS Evaluation Protocol
The following protocol applies to all items listed within course outlines' evaluation plan within the Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies, unless superseded by program protocol.
Students are responsible for keeping track of all test dates and times, as well as all due dates for course evaluations and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. When submitting assignments and projects online in SLATE, students are also responsible for checking to ensure their work was submitted as required and uploaded successfully.
Students must complete all graded activities at the specified times. Missed tests, in-class activities, and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. The penalty for late submission of assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five calendar days (excluding statutory holidays) whether the student has scheduled classes those days or not, after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Under exceptional circumstances, an extension or make-up opportunity may be approved as outlined in #3 below, and the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance.
Students who miss a test, in-class activity, assignment or do not submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. An opportunity to make up missed graded activities, may be extended to students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence. Any approved make-up tests and assignments are to be completed in the manner outlined by the professor. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments.
Assignments and projects must be submitted at the beginning of the class in which it was due, unless alternative times are clearly specified by the professor.
In keeping with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students must complete each assignment and test individually unless the professor specifies clear course instructions that indicate otherwise.
Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, as well as questions about academic integrity, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized.
There will be no re-submission of work unless, under exceptional circumstances only, this has been previously negotiated between the student and the professor.
Students must submit ALL evaluations in courses with practical lab and field components to pass the course.
In relation to graded group activities: students' individual academic accommodations will be considered and reviewed with the professor as deemed relevant to the course.
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Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:
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Essential Employability
Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:
- Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
- Communication Skills - Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills - Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
- Information Management Skills - Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
- Information Management - Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
- Interpersonal Skills - Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.
- Interpersonal Skills - Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
- Numeracy - Execute mathematical operations accurately.
- Personal Skills - Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
- Personal Skills - Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):
- Challenge Exam and Interview
Notes: Both an Interview and Challenge Exam would be required to be
considered for eligibility under PLAR.
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Section III: Topical Outline
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Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s): Course material costs can be found through the Sheridan Bookstore | | Type | Description | | Optional | Other | Materials and resources will be provided via the online platform (SLATE), and from the instructor. Students will be assigned weekly readings accessed through SLATE web links and relevant news services. |
Applicable student group(s): Police Foundations Program
Course Details: | Module 1 | Orientation and Introduction to the course | | | - Course expectations, evaluation overview, and College policies
- Overview of basic forensic concepts
- Legislative and regulatory requirements
- Ethical Standards
- Prejudicial and probative evidence
| | Module 2 | Physical Characteristics of Evidence | | | - The individuality of fingerprints
- Fingerprint formation, history and related law (Identification of Criminals Act)
- Other physical evidence (shoe prints, breaks, bites, and bodily fluids) and individuality
- Introduction of linkage in crimes
- Effective crime scene management and processing rules
Fingerprint practical exercise 15% Individual Fingerprint assignment 10% Midterm exam 20% | | | READING WEEK | | Module 3 | Crime Scene Investigative Procedures | | | - Crime scene rules and regulations
- Searching, recording, collecting and presenting physical evidence
- The role and use of DNA
- Causes of death: homicide, suicide, accidental, natural causes, and misadventure
- Review of the role forensic evidence has played in several prominent homicide cases
- Crime scene practical exercise
| | Module 4 | Presentation of Physical Evidence | | | - Roles of key agencies; forensic investigators, Chief’s Coroner’s office and the Centre of Forensic Science.
- Securing and investigating serious crime scenes
- Examine blood spatter analysis
- Review the post mortem process and evidentiary value
- Wound interpretations
- Presenting (oral and written) physical evidence reports to other police investigators, Crown Prosecutors and the Courts.
Group Crime Scene Presentation – 30% | | | Final Exam – 25% |
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It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.
In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence. Students are encouraged to engage with generative AI in teaching and learning contexts thoughtfully. Please review the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence at Sheridan College.
The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. . Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.
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