Forensic Entomology Technician Micro-credential
Overview
This course provides comprehensive training in forensic entomology evidence collection and is designed specifically for professionals involved in the crime scene investigation or in the medical examiner offices. This course will teach learners the skills and knowledge necessary to properly collect, preseve and ship entomological evedeince. Certification as a Forensic Entomology Technician by the American Board of Forensic Entomology {ABFE) will be possible afer this course.
This course is a combination of online lectures and in-person labs faciliated on campus at Ontario Tech University. The final class will be the final exam and ABFE Technician Exam (by request for an additional fee).
To apply please email your expression of interest to: Helene.LeBlanc@ontariotechu.ca
Who should attend?
You may use the knowledge and skills developed through this course if you are:
- A professional working in forensics
- A crime scence investigators or part of a crime unit
- A forensic entomology technician
- A medical examiner officer or working in an examiners office
What you'll learn
- Apply basic entomology principles to forensic science casework.
- Use the approporate forensic entomology techniques to assist in casework.
- Recognize when insect evidence can be of assistance in a case investigation.
- Expertly collect, preserve and ship insect evidence.
- Communicate effectively with a Diplomate or a Member of the American Board of Forensic Entomology,
Course information
June 2024
| Forensic Entomology Technician Micro-credential | Online lectures: June 10 to 14, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| In-person labs: June 17 to 20, 2024 | ||
| Final exam(s): Friday, June 21, 2024 |
| Date | Topic | Delivery Method |
| Lecture 1 Week of June 10-14, 2024 |
Introduction to Forensic Entomology, History and Definitions |
Online |
| Lecture 2 Week of June 10-14, 2024 |
Insect Biology: Development, Morphology, and Behaviour | Online |
| June 17, 2024 | Decomposition: The process of decomposition and how each stage affects insect behaviour + How insect evidence is used by the forensic entomologist |
In-person Ontario Tech University Oshawa |
| June 18, 2024 | Collection Methods: Recognising forensically relevant insects, collection methods, avoiding damage or obliteration of other evidence types + Climatological/Temperature Data |
In-person Ontario Tech University Oshawa |
| June 19, 2024 | Different Types of Scenes: Indoor vs outdoor Buried vs burnt + additional practice of collection and preservation methods |
In-person Ontario Tech University Oshawa |
| June 20, 2024 | Use of Evidence & Mock Case Studies: Review of different types of cases + shipping insect evidence |
In-person Ontario Tech University Oshawa |
| June 21, 2024 | Final Exam + ABFE Tech Exam (on request) | In-person Ontario Tech University Oshawa |
June 2024
| Registration fee | Registration status |
|---|---|
| $2000 CAD |
|
How to register
To enroll in the Forensic Entomology Technician micro-credential, kindly send an email to [insert email address] to express your interest and intent to participate. After receiving approval, you will be sent an email with the next steps to complete your registration.The forensic science profession is guided by various codes of ethics, such as those set-in place by
the Canadian Society of Forensic Science (https://www.csfs.ca/become-a-member/code-ofconduct/). The standards of Ontario Tech’s Forensic Science Program reflect the same level of professional conduct. FSP faculty members look to these standards, as well as Ontario Tech’s
policies, to guide professional relationships with students, and we expect FSP students to adopt these same behaviors and ethics. In particular, students are expected to act in a manner that respects the dignity and rights of all fellow students and faculty, to act in a responsible and
mature manner, to recognize that attendance at lectures and laboratories is a professional responsibility (and to alert appropriate faculty well in advance of necessary absences), to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with fellow students and faculty by working with others in
effective teams, to respect the confidentiality of information about fellow students and faculty received in confidence, and to demonstrate a sincere commitment to the forensic sciences through active learning, questioning, reading and discussion.
The Professional Suitability policy can be found at https://usgc.ontariotechu.ca/policy/policylibrary/
policies/academic/academic-conduct-and-professional-suitability-policy.php and the related procedures are hosted at https://usgc.ontariotechu.ca/policy/policylibrary/
policies/academic-misconduct-and-professional-unsuitability.php
For all lecture recordings, the governing principle is that a lecture is the intellectual property of the instructor. Any course related material uploaded to Canvas by the instructor, is prohibited from being reproduced or distributed beyond the students registered for the
course.
Requirements
If you're a professional working in crime scene investigation or medical examiner offices or similar field, then this course is tailored specifically for you.
To apply, please send an email to Helene.LeBlanc@ontariotechu.ca with your expression of interest. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email that outlines the next steps for completing your registration. Please be aware that there are limited spots available for the course, and submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. The deadline for submitting your application via email is June 8, 2024.
To successfully complete the course, you must:
- Register and make full payment for the course;
- Attend all course meeting times and in-person labs;
- Actively participate in all components of the course;
- Successfully complete any assigned work by due date; and
- Final Exam: Both written and practical complements must be successfully completed.
Students are responsible for all material presented in lectures and videos, in addition to assigned readings and are expected to undertake background reading in relation to this subject. The assigned textbook, notes, and posted information on the course webpage will be your preliminary sources.
This course will use the following technologies that may collect, use, disclose and retain personal information (including images) for the purposes described below:
- Respondus Monitor and Proctortrack to maintain academic integrity for examinations;
- Google Meet and Kaltura Virtual Classroom to facilitate remote instruction and interactive learning;
- Peer-shared applications, services or technologies that may be reviewed, assessed, or used as part of coursework.
- Other applications, services, or technologies that support or enhance online learning
