Forensic Chemistry specialist Wilson Chung (bottom left) with the 2019 MED-YSP team.

Each summer, the Medicine Youth Summer Program offers high school students an exclusive glimpse into the world of medicine and medical research by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine. Students from across North America and around the world are invited to learn at Canada’s most prestigious medical school!

This summer, Forensic Chemistry specialist student Wilson Chung brought his own training and expertise as a facilitator for the academic module: Molecular Biology and Genetics: Applications in Forensics and Medicine. Through mock scenarios and staged investigations, the students learn about techniques and technologies through experiential education. Wilson's own experience as a specialist student and a Forensic Science Outreach Program volunteer certainly make him an ideal candidate to teach the scientists of tomorrow!

In true UTM Forensic fashion, authenticity was high on the priority list for Wilson, who reflects: 
"I feel like we could've used more blood, but we were using fake blood, which is oddly harder to clean up. It was also still a public space so we didn't want to go too crazy."

To learn more about the Medicine Youth Summer Program, and the academic modules offered for high school students, check out their website here.

Forensic Psychology

This course provides an introductory overview of the many ways psychological research and theories (i.e. behavioural science) can deliver useful information in collecting and assessing evidence for criminal investigation, trial, and prevention. Topics may include: eyewitness testimony, deception, criminal profiling, false confession, mental illness, victim trauma, criminal responsibility, risk assessment, serial killing, hate crimes, sexual offending, prejudiced policing, and jury decision-making. The aim of this course is to give students general insight into the various applied specializations of forensic psychologists.

Prerequisites: PSY100Y5 or FSC239Y5

Congratulations to our 2019 graduates of the Forensic Science Program! We are incredibly proud of all the hard work and effort that you've put into your four years here with us. We look forward to seeing what the future brings for each and every one of you!

For the full album of the day's events, visit the UTM Forensic Science Flickr Page Here.

Forensic students, faculty, and alum pose with retired officer and course instructor Craig C. Moore (left) after completing their certification training in blood pattern analysis. 

In May, students, alumni, and faculty members Eugene Liscio and Helen Guyrn attended a week long certification in basic blood pattern analysis and recognition, hosted here at the University of Toronto Mississauga. 

Students executed their own experiements to identify stains, resuting in a fantastic opportunity for experiential education. Many thanks go to Craig Moore for an invaluable week of learning. 

L to R: Students of the FSc Program Allana Braga and Olivia Giaccobo (HBSc graduates), Tori Berezowski (MSc graduate) and Jenna Macrae (MSc student).

In March, IVNVI The Forensics Society hosted a gala evening for all members of the Forensics Program, their friends, and their loved ones. With special recognition for academic achievement and community engagement, this event celebrated all the hard work and successes of those involved in making the program such a success within and outside of the classroom. 

Undergrads, graduate students, faculty and staff were in attendance to enjoy being a part of this great program.

The 2019 graduating FSC481Y internship class, at the end of a successful Forensic Science Day. Far left: Dr. Tracy Rogers, course instructor and program director, and teaching assistant Vanessa Rossi).

A big congratulations to the 2018-2019 Internship FSC481Y class! On Saturday, April 6th, 31 forensic science specialist majors presented their year long research in their internship fields. Talks subjects ranged from submerged bodies in Lake Simcoe, to anemia in natural deaths, to transgender death investigations in Ontario, to provide only three of many examples.

The Forensic Science Program is incredibly proud of the hard work our specialist students have executed throughout the year, culminating in this annual event.

A special thanks to The Blind Duck for the fantastic lunch and reception, as well as the UTM Print & Copy Centre for their efforts in also making the day a success.

(Inset: The welcoming slide for C.U.F.F.S. 2019).

On Friday, April 5th, Canadian Universities for Forensic Science (C.U.F.F.S) hosted their inaugural conference entitled, "Promoting Collaboration" right here at the UTM campus. Speakers, delegates and guests from all over the country attended to offer discourse on collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches to forensic science. The Forensic Science Program's own professors Dr. Vivienne Luk and Wade Knaap held a fascinating talk on cross-course collaboration. The welcoming statement was given by UTM's own Principal, Ulrich Krull, and many of our students gave talks or poster presentations. Congratulations to all of our community members who contributed to this day's success!

With a sizeable turnout, interesting topics, and lots of great giveaways, this conference brought some of the best and brightest Canadian forensic minds together.

(Inset: Forensic students Jocelyn Huang, Emma Smith, Esme Newling, Leanne Byrne, Alida Trieu).

On Sunday, March 31 2019, the Forensic Science Program helped welcome prospective students to our campus. We offered information presentations given by our academic advisor Teresa Cabral, one-on-one discussions with professors Dr. Luk and Dr. Novroski, and tours of the CSI house run by undergraduate volunteers. A big thank you to our team for helping the the best and brightest in high school with their biggest decision yet! 

For students currently enrolled in one or both of our FSC350 courses, please be aware of the following:

Students have been de-enrolled in order to be shifted to the new course number, slated to come online soon. At this point, you are de-enrolled but not enrolled in anything else. We are aware of this change.  The Registrar’s office is currently in the process of changing the course numbers for LEC0103 and LEC0104, which require students to be removed from FSC350. 

We expect everyone's enrolment in the correct courses to be resolved by January.  Thank you for your patience, and we apologise for any inconvenience.

(Inset: Hailey Chan and Juliette Belanger-Bienvenue ).

The forensic science program was featured in the University of Toronto's student newspaper, The Varsity. Check out their article detailing new upcoming courses, and interviews, here.