Scenes of Crime

The Scenes of Crime Section is staffed primarily by Forensic Identification Officers, and primarily responsible for assisting investigative units through the examination, collection and documentation of physical evidence found at crime scenes.

The Scenes of Crime Section is staffed primarily by police officers trained as Forensic Identification Officers, attending calls for service throughout Toronto, 24 hours a day.

 
Services performed by members of the section include:

• Examining crime, death and fire scenes, industrial accidents, explosions and other suspicious incidents
• Photographing and videotaping various scenes and victims
• Collecting fingerprint and palmprint impressions from crime scenes as well as other forensic evidence such as footwear, blood and other trace evidence
• Comparing crime scene prints and footwear to those of suspects
• Submitting biological, chemical and toxicological evidence to The Centre of Forensic Sciences from major crime scenes
• Providing expert advice and equipment to assist investigators either via telephone or attendance at scenes
• Providing assistance to divisional uniform Scenes Of Crime Officers
• Collection of DNA samples from persons by consent or warrant
• Providing charts and photographs of forensic evidence for court purposes and giving expert testimony relating to the examinations conducted and their results
• Several officers in the Section are trained CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) response members

 

The following items are some of the portable examination equipment at the disposal of FIS officers to assist in the investigation of crime scenes:

• Alternate Light Sources: Coherent portable laser, Luma and Poly lights to assist in searching for biological and chemical trace evidence
• Blood Reagents: Amido black, Leucomalachite Green, Leuco Crystal Violet and Luminol 
• Casting Material: Variety of casting materials including Accutrans, dental stone, Microsil and sulphur for recovery of footwear and tool-mark impressions
• Digital Cameras: Officers are issued digital SLR cameras with a variety of lenses and filters
• Electrostatic Lifter: Pathfinder Electrostatic machines for recovery of footwear impressions in dust
• Fingerprint Kit: Powders, tapes, brushes, swabs, measuring devices, seals and acetates used in the examination of crime scenes and collection of evidences.
• Lighting Systems: Portable generators and auxiliary lighting systems including halogen balloon lights
• Metal Detectors: To locate metallic evidence in the field (ex. Shell casings)