Through the efforts of our highly experienced, professional staff, the Centre of Forensic Sciences engages in research & development to ensure that cutting edge forensic science is used to deliver services to official investigative agencies in Ontario and to advance the discipline. We strive to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our forensic analyses and examinations. Our focus is on transformative technologies and enhancing the objective nature of our work. We wish to develop and support partnerships with academic institutions, ministries and industry to expand the ability of the lab to engage in forensic science research & development. The CFS has human and material resources available to contribute to projects that support its research mandate: 1.        Increased Efficiency - a reduction of money, time, labour required to deliver a product or service.            e.g. Development of multi-drug and multi-class LC-MS/MS methods providing            fast, reliable fully quantitative results in small volumes of blood and/or urine. 2.        Increased Effectiveness - the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.            e.g. Implementation of Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry technology to significantly enhance            capacity for identifying novel psychoactive substances as they arise. 3.        Transformation - a thorough or dramatic change in form or function.             e.g. Introduction of probabilistic genotyping software to make possible the             identification of individual contributors to complex DNA mixture profiles. 4.        Increased Objectification - to remove or reduce subjective cognitive influences on the completion of a task.            e.g. Exploring use of Bayesian Networks to assess likelihood of given propositions, given evidence/test results actually observed. Partner with Us: Potential Partners are asked to review the list of currently proposed projects below and contact the CFS R&D Coordinator by email (steven.lintlop@ontario.ca) or by phone (647-329-1395) if they wish enter into a research partnership or to learn more about any specific project. Stakeholders are also invited to bring their own research ideas, aligning with the research mandate of the CFS, to the attention of the R&D Coordinator.

Biology

1. Study and better understand the factors which influence the transfer and persistence of biological fluids and DNA, so that we can better answer questions with respect to how and when the trace evidence came to be deposited, and not just who it may have originated from. (refer to Transfer and Persistence Variables Matrix in project list below). 2.To better understand population structures in the province of Ontario. In particular, to determine allele frequencies in major populations for a variety of autosomal markers of forensic significance, whether Short Tandem Repeat (STR) loci or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci. In addition, to determine frequencies for relevant lineage marker haplotypes from the Y-chromosome and from the mitochondrial genome, in the same major populations.

Chemistry

1. Study and better understand the factors which influence the transfer and persistence of trace evidence, so that we can better answer questions with respect to how and when the trace evidence came to be deposited, and not just suggest the potential source of the trace evidence. (refer to Transfer and Persistence Variables Matrix in project list below). 2. Develop new methods to characterise trace evidence using Raman spectroscopy and time of flight mass spectrometry. 3. Develop new, and expand existing, trace evidence reference collections. This involves the collection and analysis of trace evidence exemplars with the goal of enhancing the objectivity of comparisons made between reference material and case material. Our initial focus will be on automotive carpet fibres, architectural paints, zip ties, plastic bags and adhesive tapes.

Physical Sciences

1. Enhance the objectivity of firearms and ammunition examinations and comparisons. 2. Enhance the objectivity of handwriting analysis and comparisons.

Toxicology

1. Review, evaluate and publish aggregate case data in support of public safety, with a focus on four investigative areas. Alcohol and / or drug impaired driving. The role of drugs, other than alcohol, in fatal motor vehicle collisions. Investigations of individuals who have died while in custody and the death is opioid-related. Re-examination of case mass spectral and time of fight data to search for novel psychoactive substances.

All Sections

1. Review and publish data sets associated with method validations for all operational sections. 2. Review, evaluate and publish historical case data relevant to public safety.