Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To perform and oversee forensic scientific testing and examinations in a wide range of items and samples and to provide scientific interpretation, opinion evidence, expertise, and advice to the courts and investigators related to findings generated at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in support of criminal and other official investigations; to carry out and oversee research in forensic sciences.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Job requires:

1. Providing examination and management of cases, items, and samples submitted by police services, coroners, pathologists, fire marshals, defence lawyers, crown attorneys and Ontario agencies requiring forensic biology testing; providing interpretation of preliminary findings and expertise to assist in the investigations by these agencies; providing advice regarding testing and examinations and alternative options; determining priorities and directing the work of forensic biology technicians as required; ensuring that testing, examinations and evidence handling conform to the methods, standard operating procedures, and policies set by the Biology Section and the Centre. Documenting and processing incoming and outgoing case-related items, materials, information, and documents. Ensuring continuity and integrity of each item within established CFS policies and standard operating procedures; ensuring quality and accuracy of test results through continued participation in proficiency tests and conforming to accreditation requirements.

2. Providing scientific expertise through the interpretation and documentation of findings of tests performed by self and others and preparation of reports of the Centre; providing on site scientific expertise in the investigative stage of cases including attending crime scenes and autopsies as required.
• Performing a range of forensic biological analyses.
• Interpretation of the results of forensic biological analyses.

Including:
• Hairs and Fibres
• Body fluid identification
• DNA testing
• Bloodstain pattern analysis

3. Acting as a scientific advisor to clients by maintaining ongoing liaison for case conferencing and providing specialist scientific expertise in the area of forensic biology to government agencies in response to enquiries on forensic sciences.

4. Providing testimony as an expert witness for a range of proceedings (e.g. criminal trials, hearings, tribunals, inquests, civil litigation) and pre-trial conferences; advising on conclusions/results of Centre reports and providing opinion evidence in relation to forensic biological examinations at the Centre, or to opinions and information presented by other forensic professionals.

5. Participating in the Centres Quality Assurance Program by reviewing ones own work and the work of other Centre staff to ensure quality of products and ensure conclusions are scientifically sound within the discipline of forensic biology and the Centres standard operating procedures; providing mentoring and expertise to other scientists and technologists and participating in the laboratory accreditation process.

6. Planning, conducting and co-coordinating original and applied scientific research and developing projects and activities in the field of forensic sciences and related disciplines to facilitate the implementation of new technologies, introduction of new or innovative methods at the Centre, and to prepare original scientific research papers for presentation and publication.

7. Providing training and education to Centre staff, client groups, forensic professionals, and students through presentations, lectures, seminars, and speaking events at national/international meeting on forensic science and related areas of expertise.

Knowledge :

Job requires:

• An honours B.A./BSc. degree or its equivalent in one of the physical, life or forensic sciences that include courses in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology or equivalent, and courses or training in statistics and/or population genetics.
• Scientific theories, methods, techniques, and emerging trends and advances in forensic sciences and other specialized disciplines (e.g. chemistry, biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, population genetics and statistics) to provide scientific expertise in relation to the testing and examination of items and samples within the Biology Section of the Centre of Forensic Sciences.
• Theoretical and analytical forensic laboratory techniques and standards to develop or modify methods and conduct tests in a forensic laboratory; ensure compliance with quality assurance requirements and participate in the laboratory accreditation process.
• Scientific research methodologies, practices and techniques to plan, conduct and coordinate original scientific research and development projects and activities and to prepare original scientific research papers.
• Forensic biology to apply scientific knowledge to meet forensic science requirements (e.g. scene of crime, autopsy practices and protocol, reconstructing events) and provide scientific opinion and expertise to clients in the Ontario Justice system.
• Centre standard operating procedures, practices, and policies to ensure compliance in all activities.
• Legislative authorities (e.g. relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada, Provincial Offences Act, Coroners Act, Canadian Evidence Act, WHMIS, FOIPPA, Occupational Health and Safety) to ensure compliance.
• Current case law practices (e.g. rules of evidence) and the court system and related protocols to ensure compliance when testifying as an expert witness.
• Accreditation standards (e.g. American Society of Crime Lab Directors, Laboratory Accreditation Board) to ensure all standards are met.
• Leading edge and emerging technology in the field of forensic biology and the operations and capabilities of scientifically advanced testing instruments and hardware/software equipment within the Centre to utilize equipment in testing and data analysis.
• Time management techniques to prioritize and manage cases, and resolve competing pressures and demands.

Skills :

Job requires:

• Analytical skills to review case files and examine items and samples submitted by police to determine significance, limitations, and probative value of analytical findings.
• Analytical skills to interpret ones own test results and those performed by technologists, to summarize findings, draw conclusions from scientific data and make recommendations to clients and stakeholders within the justice system.
• Analytical skills to participate in the early stages of investigations to provide crime of scene work, reconstruction of events, evidence collection, preliminary examination, etc.
• Evaluating skills to conduct quality assurance through the peer review of reports prepared by colleagues to ensure conclusions are scientifically sound and meet the standards of the Centre.
• Research skills to plan, conduct and coordinate original scientific research and development projects and activities in the field of forensic biology and related disciplines.
• Written communication skills to prepare scientific reports for police, crown attorneys, and others based on tests and examinations, and interpretation of findings ensuring reports are presented in clear, accurate, and easily understood language using the proper scientific terminology.
• Oral communication skills to provide expert testimony in court, to explain and present complex scientific issues and concepts (e.g. forensic DNA, hairs and fibres, bloodstain pattern interpretation and body fluid identification) to other scientists, triers of fact, counsel, police, coroners, and other stakeholders.
• Presentation skills to provide training and education to Centre colleagues, client groups, students, and stakeholders through presentations and seminars, and speaking events at national/international conferences on forensic science and own area of specialty.
• Interpersonal skills to maintain ongoing liaison with clients for case conferencing and to provide advice on implications of findings and to work in a team environment, and on a one-on-one relationship with staff above and below.
• Written communication skills to prepare scientific research papers in the field of forensic biology and related areas of expertise.
• Time and project management skills to balance caseload, court commitments, and training activities.

Freedom of Action :

Job works within Centre of Forensic Sciences methods, standard operating procedures, quality assurance standards and policies as well as accreditation standards within area of assignment. Job requires working in situations that may not have established methodology and require the development of new scientific techniques to adapt to a range of unique situations. Job requires freedom to manage several assignments and casework, to include prioritizing cases; evaluating and implementing appropriate courses of action, methods of analysis to be conducted by Technicians. Job is accountable for all results, for final decisions on cases and preparation of final products and reports, which are reviewed for quality assurance purposes. Job requires providing testimony and opinion evidence at court as an expert scientific witness on behalf of the Centre. Job requires liaison with clients and stakeholders. Job requires reporting to Centre management as directed in relation to research, laboratory operations, and support of clients and the justice system.