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Forensics Blog

Investigate it: Forensics at BCIT

We’re Co-hosting the Canadian Forensic Science and Criminal Law Conference this June

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Join us for this comprehensive two-day conference on the latest issues in Forensic Science.

Canadian Forensic Science and Criminal Law Conference: Strengthening Forensic Science in the Courtroom 

With an esteemed Planning Committee comprised of judges from each level of court in BC, forensic experts, and senior crown and defence counsel from BC and beyond, this conference will critically examine how science is presented and used in criminal trials.

Topics Include:

  • Looking Back at Bitemarks – Prof. Iain Pretty (University of Manchester)
  • Topics in DNA Analysis: Complex Mixtures and Secondary Transfers – Prof. Bruce Budowle (University of North Texas)
  • Statistical Analysis and Forensic Science in Criminal Cases – Prof. Jeffrey Rosenthal (University of Toronto)
  • Special Topics in Forensic Science: Focus on Blood Splatter – Lynne Garcia, JD (General Counsel, Texas Forensic Science Commission)
  • Litigating Forensic Science Issues – Chris Fabricant, JD (Innocence Project, New York)
  • Current Issues in Forensic Pathology – Prof. Emma Cunliffe (Peter A. Allard School of Law) & Dr. Matthew Orde (Vancouver General Hospital)
  • Forensic Psychology and Risk Assessment Tools – Prof. Stephen Hart (Simon Fraser University)
  • Best Practices in Fingerprint Identification – Prof. Simon Cole (University of California, Irvine)
  • Audio and Video Enhancement – David McKay, BSc (BCIT)
  • The Challenges of Social Media Evidence – Bryan Fitzpatrick, JD (Pushor Mitchell LLP)
  • Medical Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases – Colette Tvedt, JD (Denver, Colorado)

Keynote Speaker: Professor Gary Edmond, University of New South Wales, Australia

Gary Edmond, PhD, has published on law and science, expert evidence, and the public understanding of science in journals dedicated to law, sociology, and science studies. His research interests, spanning the Anglo-American world, are primarily focused on the evidentiary and procedural dimensions of expert evidence, particularly admissibility issues and the forensic sciences.

With Special Guest Maria R. Shepherd

Maria R. Shepherd is Innocence Canada’s 21st client to be exonerated, a current Director of Innocence Canada, and a Senior Paralegal at Shepherd Advocacy and Litigation.

Co-chaired by Tamara Levy, QC, UBC Innocence Project, and Dean Hildebrand, PhD, BCIT Forensics, with a planning committee comprised of Justice Elizabeth Bennett; Justice Janet Winteringham; Judge Reginald Harris; David Layton, QC; Marilyn Sandford, QC; Jason Moore; Caitlin Pakosh. Please note speaker list is subject to change.

Supported by a generous donation from the Lew Family Foundation at UBC, permitting reasonable registration fees including an Early Bird Student Rate of only $100.

Note: Conference is eligible for 11.5 hours of CPD credits from the Law Society of B.C.

Register here.

Workshop – Approaches to Risk Assessment Tools and Processes

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Circuit board with lock on itBCIT Forensics will be hosting a one day workshop on “Approaches to Risk Assessment Tools and Processes”.  The workshop will be taught by former US Secret Service Agent J. Kelly Stewart who will provide tremendous real-world experience in security assessment, risk mitigation, planning, design, policies, implementation and review. The instructor will discuss risk assessment theory, processes, practical applications, and new technology and tools that are being employed for risk assessment.

 

The cost is $199 for Government employees and $299 for Non-Government employees.  For more information and to sign up: https://visualplan.net/our-events/

Crime & Intelligence Analyst Position in Kamloops

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Crime & Intelligence Analyst (Permanent, Full-Time)

Closing Date: January 21, 2019

Job ID: 1431 (External)

Pay Class: Salary

Days of Work: Monday to Friday

Hours of Work: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Position Overview

The Crime and Intelligence Analyst performs complex, highly skilled, specialized research work that involves the application of research techniques to support relatively complex criminal investigative activities, operational programs, and crime reduction strategies under the limited supervision of the Client Support Services Supervisor. The work involves providing statistical, tactical, and strategic crime analysis services and intelligence information to the RCMP and management. The work also involves determining which research methodologies to utilize for each project and assisting in the design and planning of projects relative to specific developments or detailed investigations. The position is responsible for providing statistical information and advice on crime analysis and research to RCMP members and outside agencies. Through specialized research in demographics, crime data, and social issues, the incumbent is responsible for the identification of evolving or existing crime patterns and trends to forecast future crime occurrences and is responsible for presenting these findings to various clients and organizations. The incumbent is responsible for setting up new databases and advising RCMP members on the methods and techniques of the compilation and extraction of data. The incumbent is responsible for the accuracy and quality of the work and attention to detail as errors are not readily detected or corrected and could cause major loss of service or delays involving operations or investigations. The position requires a considerable degree of judgment, initiative, and discretion in order to implement data collection strategies, interpret a wide variety of data, and produce various analytical products that assist team members in providing operational direction. The job involves inside work with very good working conditions. The incumbent is required to exercise considerable courtesy, tact, and diplomacy when dealing with other staff, RCMP members, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

  1. Collects, assembles, analyzes, and interprets a wide variety of investigative and intelligence data to support ongoing investigations.
  2. Reviews police occurrence files to determine immediate crime problems and patterns of criminal activity.
  3. Prepares suspect and victim profiles, suspect lists, maps, and other graphic representations of criminal activity.
  4. Evaluates and validates intelligence information gathered from various closed and open sources, including web-based programs, automated databases, manual files, and electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets.
  5. Develops and maintains comprehensive files, records, and documentation.
  6. Prepares reports and recommendations for implementing strategies to address identified problems and trends.
  7. Coordinates and organizes the work flow with and for the Crime Analyst Assistant on tasks and duties that require completion.
  8. Participates on project teams to monitor and identify the nature and scope of emerging and persistent crime problems, trends, and socio-economic or demographic factors related to the problem and assesses the probability of future crime problems and trends.
  9. Establishes and maintains working relationships with RCMP members, staff, and external agencies.
  10. Provides statistical information and crime analysis and trains RCMP members, staff, and external agencies as a subject matter expert on methods, tools, and techniques for the compilation of data.
  11. Delivers presentations, briefings, and situation reports on crime trends and related matters, and provides court testimony as required.
  12. Provides ongoing recommendations with regard to policies, procedures, and operations, and keeps abreast of developments in the field of crime analysis.
  13. Operates various RCMP operational computer systems and maintains a variety of databases.
  14. Assists other staff in performing their duties and performs other job related duties as required.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND KNOWLEDGE

  1. Thorough knowledge of research, statistical, and analytical principles, practices, procedures, methods, and techniques.
  2. Thorough knowledge of query syntax and retrieval techniques for researching and extracting information from a variety of computer databases, commercial databases, and the Internet to conduct searches for information.
  3. Thorough knowledge of relevant computer office equipment, applications, and software.
  4. Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and provide statistical data and crime analysis services.
  5. Ability to provide recommendations with regard to policies, procedures, and operations.
  6. Ability to conduct presentations, briefings, and training to RCMP members, staff, and external agencies, including the use of projectors and other audiovisual aids.
  7. Ability to provide court testimony as required.
  8. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  9. Ability to stay abreast of developments in the field of crime analysis.
  10. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, maintain trust and confidentiality of information at all times, and deal with stressful situations and work under pressure of deadlines.
  11. Ability to exercise independent judgment in performing the duties of the position.
  12. Ability to organize and prioritize workloads.

PREFERRED TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, MEMBERSHIPS, ETC.

  1. Knowledge of police information and intelligence database systems including, but not limited to, PRIME, CPIC, NCDB, and JUSTIN, and open sources such as BC Online, Lexis-Nexis, and Infomart.
  2. Knowledge of the RCMP and departmental regulations and procedures in addition to RCMP terminology.
  3. Considerable knowledge of statutory regulations, federal acts, and the Criminal Code as they relate to the work performed.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, LICENCES, CERTIFICATES, ETC.

  1. Completion of senior secondary school or its equivalent.
  2. Completion of a university degree in Criminal Justice, Technology (Crime and Intelligence Analysis), Criminology, or a closely related discipline, including coursework in applied research and statistics.
  3. Completion of post-secondary intermediate word processing, spreadsheet, and database software courses, as demonstrated through testing. 60% pass rate required.
  4. Minimum of three years’ recent experience within the last five years in crime and statistical analysis and research. 5. Able to pass the RCMP entrance exams administered by the E Division Crime Analysis Section (EDCAS). 6. Ability to obtain and maintain RCMP Secret Level Security Clearance.

Department: Community and Protective Services

Position Type: Permanent full-time

Reports To: Client Support Services Supervisor

City: Kamloops

Position: CUPE Salary

Hourly Wag: $39.65

Closing Date: 1/21/2019

Compensation & Benefits Overview

Comprehensive benefits package available. Please note that persons with disabilities who require accommodation with the application process may contact the Human Resources Department for assistance at (250) 828-3439.

To apply for this position, please visit our website at https://www.kamloops.ca/city-hall/career- opportunities.

Job Postings

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Looking for a career in Forensics?

Forensic Technologist – Anticipatory
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Forensic Science & Identification Services, National Forensic Laboratory Services, Biology
Edmonton (Alberta), Vancouver (British Columbia), Ottawa (Ontario)
Various language requirements
$59,842 to $72,804
Closing date: 2019-01-09
https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?poster=1250029&toggleLanguage=en

Intelligence Officer
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Ottawa (Ontario)
Bilingual – Non Imperative
$69,350 to $84,360
Closing date: 2019-04-24
https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/csis-jobs/available-jobs/intelligence-officer.html

Train for your career at BCIT.

Norwegian Guests Inspired by Visiting Forensic Health Science at BCIT

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Last month, BCIT’s Forensic Health Sciences program was pleased to host a delegation from a sexual assault centre in Vestfold County, Norway. This is the only centre in Norway utilizing forensic nursing services. However, there is no systematic higher academic education in the field of forensic health sciences in the country.

Linda Molgaard Gustavsen, a forensic nurse, and Ole Henrik Augestad, the medical director from the centre, traveled to BCIT to observe our process of educating forensic nurses and to understand the role of forensic nurse examiners in Canada.

The delegation sat in on a class on the Burnaby campus. Forensic Nurse Examiner, Aimee Falkenberg of Nanaimo General Hospital, led the instruction of fourteen nurses in a course which is part of the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Health Sciences at BCIT.

After observing two days of instruction and discussing forensic nursing curriculum and development with Program Coordinator Colin Harris, the delegation toured Forensic Nursing Services at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital in the Fraser Health Authority, and Victoria General Hospital on Vancouver Island.

With a first-hand look at how forensic nurse examiners educated at BCIT provide services in BC, Linda stated “as a Norwegian forensic nurse, it was like coming home to meet the skilled coordinators who manage the different programs. It became clear to me that Norway needs a comparable education program for forensic nurses.”

See the full blog post by Cynthia Van Ginkel at BCIT News.

AML Business Intelligence Analyst

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BCLC is hiring – Anti-Money Laundering Business Intelligence Analyst

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Intelligence, the AML Business Intelligence Analyst role is responsible for leading the development, implementation, maintenance and support of business intelligence and reporting solutions to the Corporate Security and Compliance division.  The role utilizes a specialized understanding of business intelligence and data warehouse operating environments and related technologies in order to grow business intelligence capabilities and to ensure the integrity of the reporting data.  As an expert in business intelligence, the role is a consultative partner to both internal (within BCLC); providing education, guidance and recommendation for improvement and to external stakeholders (service providers, vendors and regulatory bodies).

Key Accountabilities:

  • Develops predictive analytic capabilities within Corporate Security and Compliance division through the socialization and dissemination of best-practices, and the creation and maintenance of data models for new solution development in support of the dynamic business needs.
  • Develops relevant processes, procedures, and standards within a diverse Business Intelligence environment in order to drive performance and program improvement.
  • Consults and influences business stakeholders to proactively add value, understand their needs and to be able to clearly communicate this direction to internal team members. This will require the clear presentation of complex concepts to an executive audience.
  • Creates conceptual, logical and physical data models for new solution development in support of the business needs.
  • Maintains an oversight of the overall model suite to ensure consistency, accuracy and repeatability.
  • Work with Business Transformation to ensure data models are fully documented and appropriate data dictionaries are created.
  • Creates data standards to support the predictive analytic team, and ensure adherence to the standards. This may include direct influence over source data and campaign standards.
  • Liaises with and provides communication to key stakeholders, ensuring clarity and awareness of strategies and objectives for business intelligence analysis.
  • Conduct research through open source intelligence to provide products to support customer needs.
  • Prepare AML weekly/monthly/quarterly dashboards and reports for internal and external clients.

 

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience

  • A Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) or equivalent qualification or working towards CAMS certification.
  • A degree in criminology, information technology, math, economics, business or a related discipline;
  • Completion of a Forensic Science Technology Program with a specialization in Crime and Intelligence or an Advanced Specialty Certificate in crime and Intelligence would be an asset;
  • 4-6 years related experience in leading the development of business intelligence solutions within a diverse business technology environment;
  • An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered

 

Technical Requirements

  • Excellent working knowledge of i2 Analyst Notebook, iBase, i2 WorkStation, ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 with the ESRI Crime Analyst Extension;
  • Strong knowledge of related software applications, such as MSOffice and Adobe;
  • Strong problem-solving, and business acumen;
  • Demonstrated success in developing and supporting business intelligence applications;
  • Knowledge of the methodologies used in gathering and analyzing business requirements for predictive model generation;
  • Excellent analytical ability, a strong understanding of analytical concepts and well developed creative problem solving skills;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of data analysis and success in designing reporting solutions, including but not limited to dashboards, portals, and report objects;
  • Advanced communication skills, both written and oral with the ability to develop technical documentation and to explain complex information in an effective manner;
  • Ability to act on own initiative, to exercise sound judgment and to prioritize tasks;
  • Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail;
  • Excellent interpersonal, time management, multi-tasking and organizational skills.

Please Note: This opportunity will remain open until a qualified candidate pool has been established.

Please Note: Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

See the full posting and how to apply at BCLC’s career website.

Community Coroner Job Postings

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There are 32 full-time coroners and approximately 75 community coroners working from five regional offices and the Office of the Chief Coroner in Burnaby.

  • Full-time Coroners are excluded positions (the positions are not part of the B.C. Government Employees Union) within each regional office. When vacancies occur, positions are posted on MyHR, the B.C. government`s human resources website.
  • Community coroners work on an as-needed basis. This is not full time employment; payment is based on hours worked. Check this page regularly for Community Coroner job postings.

The background preferred for community coroners is previous education and experience in legal, medical or investigative fields. Community coroners do not perform autopsies or other specialized procedures.

Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to work with grieving families in a sensitive, supportive manner; can provide leadership and coordination at scenes and have the ability to communicate effectively with the public, police, medical community and other agencies. The job requires excellent skills in communication and analysis.

Coroner Job Postings

Community Coroner, North Island (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Duncan/Cowichan (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Nanaimo (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Prince George (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Sunshine Coast (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Prince Rupert (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Vanderhoof (Closes Nov 22)

Community Coroner, Vancouver Metro (Closes Nov 15 – Eligibility list for future vacancies)

Community Coroner, Fraser (Closes Nov 15)

Intelligence Analyst Positions (various locations)

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The RCMP is accepting applications for Intelligence Analysts for various locations across Canada.

Salary:  $81,858 to $94,219

Apply online

Qualifications:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization* in economics, sociology or statistics.

Significant* and recent** experience in intelligence analysis (in at least one of the following: crime, tactical, operational, strategic) including researching, collecting, evaluating and analyzing information to provide recommendations for decision makers.

Significant* and recent** experience in developing or applying analytical techniques or qualitative/quantitative methodology to advance a file or project (defined as tactical/investigative, operational or strategic intelligence).

Recent** experience in preparing and presenting briefing material for decision-makers to advance a file or project (defined as tactical/investigative, operational or strategic intelligence).

Significant** experience establishing and maintaining partnerships*** with at least two of the following: domestic or international law enforcement or intelligence agencies; government agency/departments; academic communities; private sector.

* “Significant” is defined as the depth and breadth of experience that would normally have been gained performing the duties for a minimum of three (3) years.
** “Recent” is defined as experience gained within the last five (5) years.
*** Partnerships refer to outside of the applicant’s existing agency or department.

 

See the full job posting and how to apply on Government of Canada jobs website.