The annual Forensic Science and Technology Bachelor of Technology Graduate Research Day always offers some surprising insights, along with research on new areas of concern.
This year’s projects highlighted the increasing cybersecurity threats and digital safety concerns of our society, which is no longer just tech-enabled, but tech-dependent, right down to basic infrastructure.
From Crime and Intelligence Analysis presentations on the role of social media in youth radicalization, to Forensic Science analysis of the latest in DNA extraction kits, students finishing their BTech enlightened the audience on issues facing those working to keep us safe.
Tentacles of a perilous web
The Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity option – becoming increasingly relevant as tech explodes – is expanding to a full-time daytime option this fall.
Students presented on critical infrastructure vulnerabilities created through internet-enabled components, non-profit organization reliance on technology combined with insufficient capability to secure it, and Darknet transactions with crypto currency.
For consumers, highlighted dangers included public Wi-Fi, used phones that are supposed to have been wiped but still contain sensitive information, the risks of home video and security devices, and new frontiers in phishing.
New crimes, new crime-solving tools
The good news is that though there are new perils, there are also new tools to track criminals and their crimes.
Student Emily Coelho, who hopes to head into the intelligence analysis field, loves working with maps and patterns. By using tools like the IBM i2 Analyze, a kind of charting software, crime analysts can build out links to crime groups in areas like commodity movement and communication, to create “link associations.” The software helps investigators develop a full picture of patterns and connections that can yield clues.
Though the work has dark elements, the tech-enabled problem solving can be thrilling. Emily advises, “It’s so fun using it, I could work on it all day!”
SEE MORE: BCIT Forensics faculty member on avoiding becoming a victim of romance fraud
Too sensitive for its own good?
Back in the material world, technology used on physical crime scenes is increasingly proficient as well.
Student Michelle Le studied an issue which has serious implications for criminal law: investigator-mediated DNA transfer.
She explains, ”Forensic DNA technology has improved to the point that you can get a full DNA profile of an individual off a surface they didn’t directly contact.”
“While the ability to detect increasingly small amounts of DNA can be helpful, it can also lead to falsely incriminating evidence.” – Michelle Le
In the face of potential accidental – or purposeful – “tertiary transfer,” Michelle cautions that in some cases “contact DNA should no longer be the sole support for a charge or conviction.”
DNA technology is facing a crisis of its own making: it’s now too good at detecting very tiny samples.
Telling the story connects the skills
Associate Dean Jennifer Talman welcomed the students on project morning. She encouraged them to embrace the opportunity to show their expertise, despite presentation-day nerves. “Being able to communicate their findings to a diverse audience will prepare students for what they need to do in industry,” Jennifer emphasizes.
“As our students graduate and move into exciting and essential roles, it’s great to see that they are comfortable with a range of research methodologies and are sensitive to the social impact of their work.”
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