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Investigate it: Forensics at BCIT

Canadian Society of Forensic Science 58th Conference

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Logo for the Canadian Society of Forensic ScienceCanadian Society of Forensic Science 58th Conference

May 8-11th, 2012

The IRMACS Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada

In the Government of Canada’s 2010 budget, there was a commitment to exploring alternative methods of delivering forensic services. A request for proposal entitled “A Feasibility and Sustainability Model for Forensic Services Delivery in Canada” was subsequently posted in the fall of 2010. This contract has since been awarded and the results of the report are expected in the spring of 2012. The theme of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science 2012 conference “Forensics: Public, Private or Partnership”, also seeks to explore the options for forensic service delivery by engaging speakers from various public and private forensic laboratories in the UK, USA and Canada. CSFS members and non-members are invited to register and attend all workshops.

Organizational Committee
Dr. Lynne Bell (Criminology, SFU)
Heather Dinn (RCMP Forensic Laboratory)
Pam Borghardt (IRMACS Centre, SFU)

For more information about the conference and to register, visit the website or contact CSFS2012@csfs.ca.

Help Catch a Rioter

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Rioters smashing windows at Sears in Downtown VancouverThe excerpt below is from a message forwarded to me by the VPD. I agreed to post it on our blog because I know many people in the Lower Mainland were outraged by the Stanley Cup Riot on June 15th and feel helpless about how to bring the perpetrators to justice. Maybe one of our readers can help catch a rioter…

As you are well aware, the Integrated Riot Investigation Team of 60+ police officers, analysts and civilian members have been working hard at holding rioters accountable for their part on June 15th. To date, we have recommended 350 criminal charges against 125 rioters, and there are many more still to come. With a lot of work ahead of us, we are asking for your help in forwarding this information to your family, friends and co-workers.

[Read more…]

Course Schedule for Spring Term and Registration Dates

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Colour dates on individual calendar pagesOn a nice, sunny day like today, it isn’t hard to believe that spring is just around the corner…

I recently uploaded our Spring/Summer term 2012 course schedule to our website, so you can use it to plan your course load for April-August 2012.

Some important dates to remember:

  •     February 10th – Web preview (You can see the Spring 2012 courses online, but can’t register for them yet)
  •     February 12th – Web registration opens (You can start registering online)
  •     February 13th – General registration opens (You can now register by any method)

* Position Filled * Crime Analyst Job Opportunity

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The logo for the West Vancouver Police Department**The position has now been filled**

Job Title: Crime Analyst (Exempt temporary [maternity leave] position)
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Start Date: March 1, 2012 (approximately)
Location: West Vancouver Police Department

Overview: Responsible for the specialized work of researching and disseminating information related to criminal activity to support administrative and operational staff in the planning and deployment of resources.

[Read more…]

2012 International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Stalking

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EVAW LogoThe 2012 International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Stalking,  presented by EVAW International, will be taking place April 2 to 4, 2012 in San Diego, California. Join fellow law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, victim advocates, judges, parole and probation officers, medical personnel, faith community members, educators and others in this three day conference highlighting promising practices and emerging issues in sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.

For more information about this event, visit the EVAW website.

Inspectors’ Core Education Workshops

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Checking off descriptive words on a listMuch of what we do in forensic investigation is to pursue the psychology behind acts, commissions, omissions and behavior.  People working in health care can change their thinking and attitudes over time and this makes motivation an intriguing–and often times, puzzling aspect.  A person may be a responsible, ethical practitioner one day but then something changes; some event in their life shifts their perception and then they lose their perspective and judgment.  Other health care professionals simply do not grasp that they don’t have the requisite skills to practice safely.  Also very interesting are the times when institutions and agencies either lack proper direction for their employees or have policies and guidelines that frustrate health care professionals. This can lead to improper patient care. When this happens, professional colleges send inspectors to examine what has gone wrong.

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BCIT Is Looking for a Few Good Volunteers

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A group of student volunteers at BCIT"s Open HouseBCIT’s Open House is fast approaching, and our fine institute is looking for students to volunteer at this event.

By becoming a general volunteer, you’ll be getting involved with student life at BCIT and building volunteer experience for your resume. Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Welcome Centre staff
  • Tour guides
  • Set-up crew
  • Information booth staff
  • Bus hoppers
  • Greeters

This is BCIT’s largest event, with expected attendance to exceed 20,000 people April 13 and 14, 2012. For more information about Open House, please visit the website. To volunteer, contact Sepehr Vafadary, Student Leader for Volunteers, by email or by phone at 604.456.1090.

Forensics’ Grad Bringing Backpacks to the Homeless

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Tracie Jones packing bags to give to the homelessTracie Jones, a grad from our Forensic Science program, was recently featured in The Surrey Now for her involvement in the Operation Backpack program in Surrey:

“More than 200 homeless people were the recipients of Operation Backpack last Thursday night, an initiative put on by Surrey Emergency Services. Now in its sixth year, the program distributes toiletries, socks, gloves, tuques, scarves, footwear and food to homeless in the area – all in backpacks.”

Tracie, a forensic nurse at Surrey Memorial Hospital, said that the program started because those involved wanted to give back to the community:

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Happy Holidays!

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A card wishing you a happy, merry holiday seasonJust wanted to wish everyone reading this blog a merry Christmas and happy holidays. Things will be quiet here for the next two weeks until I’m back in the office in January. I’ll be sharing some more exciting job opportunities and news from our programs when I return in the new year.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Season’s Greetings!

 

Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Lunch and Learn Workshops

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Students attending a lunch and learn sessionThe BCIT Commercialization Assistance Program and the School of Business invites students to attend the upcoming workshop series designed to help skilled individuals improve innovation success rates. This workshop series will cover a range of topics to provide students with business planning skills and tools that will help support entrepreneurship and innovation.

Who Should Attend:

  • Any BCIT student in any program is welcome to attend
  • You don’t have to be a ‘business’ student
  • Students interested in participating in the 2012 BCIT Innovation Challenge
  • BCIT staff are also welcome to attend

Cost: Free!   – Lunch and refreshments will be provided for pre-registered attendees
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