Overview

The Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) Violent Crime Service (VCS) conducts examinations and DNA analysis to support the investigation of violent crimes. This guide is intended to help investigators and submitters submit evidence items to the laboratory.

For complex cases, we recommend you consult via email or telephone prior to submission. Otherwise, you can make an online submission request and you will be contacted if more information is required.

Contact the major crime scientific advisor for clarification or exceptions.

All priority requests require consultation with a scientific advisor.

Submitting evidence

When you’re submitting evidence you must complete a Case Submission Form and include all relevant information, including the following:

  • Individuals involved and their relationship to each other/scene/items.
  • A brief description of the alleged events leading to, during and after the occurrence.
  • A list of items being submitted, and the examinations requested.
  • An explanation as to how the items may be related to the occurrence.
  • For cases involving examinations for blood, indicate the number of potential bleeders, if known.
  • For sexual assault cases, indicate last previous consensual activity, if known.
  • Reference pre-consultations with CFS staff and include the tracking number (if provided to you) during discussions regarding acceptance of the case/items.
  • Confirm the occurrence meets the requirements for a DNA designated offence.
  • List any known time pressures (for example, court dates).

Although there is no limit on the number of items which may be accepted for VCS cases, for complex investigations, the scientist may stage the examinations, only accepting a subset of relevant items per submission.

Qualifying offences

You may submit collected evidence to the VCS in relation to all listed primary designated offences. The exception of this is section 348(1)(d) of the Criminal Code - Breaking and entering a dwelling house — submit these to the High Volume Service (HVS) area.

Secondary designated offences

You may submit collected evidence to the VCS for the following secondary designated offences (note section numbers refer to the Criminal Code):

  • s. 98.1 Robbery to steal firearm
  • s. 173(1) Indecent Acts
  • s. 266 Assault
  • s. 270 Assaulting a peace officer
  • s. 160(1) Bestiality
  • s. 162 Voyeurism
  • ss. 280/281/282/283 Abduction offences
  • All traffic offences that involve direct impact to a person by a vehicle resulting in injury or death

Please refer to the national DNA databank website for the complete list of designated offences. For HVS offences please refer to the HVS Guide and HVS information sheet.

Acceptance criteria for submitting evidence

Where possible, submit the entire item for examination.

In those instances where you are requested/directed to submit a sample of the item, refer to the HVS Guide for sampling tips.

Items are accepted as per the DNA Identification Act, S.O. 1998, c. 37, s. 5.(3)(a) – (d).

Collecting and submitting evidence

When you’re collecting, handling and packaging evidence, make sure to wear:

  • gloves
  • masks
  • protective clothing

Attach a numbered seal to each container or evidence. 

Direct questions, concerns and exception requests to CFS scientific advisors. Discuss any pre-testing with CFS scientific advisors.

Submitting DNA profiles

The DNA Identification Act states that the crime scene index shall contain DNA profiles derived from bodily substances that are found either:

  • at any place where a designated offence was committed
  • on or within the body of the victim of a designated offence
  • on anything worn or carried by the victim at the time when a designated offence was committed
  • on or within the body of any person or thing or at any place associated with the commission of a designated offence

If evidence is not initially accepted

Items may not be initially accepted by VCS if:

  • item type has a low success rate/expectation of obtaining reliable results
  • item is not the most relevant to address the allegations or has no probative value
  • individual is already associated with an item (for example, handler analysis requested though item is located in individual’s possession)
  • limitations of the testing preclude examination (for example, outcome of the testing may not address the question at hand)
  • item has undergone pre-testing by the submitting agency (for example, fingerprinting/ presumptive body fluid testing)
  • any associative DNA item (that may have been handled/worn) was not brought to the scene by the perpetrator and instead was a single touch/use event

Standard item types

There are five different standard item evidence types. There is a different process for packaging and submitting each type of evidence.

  1. Body fluid examination (for example, clothing, scene swabs, weapons) and/or “associative” DNA examination (for example, clothing, gloves, headwear, personal effects that may have been used/worn).      
    To properly submit this evidence, you must:
    • air dry all items
    • package one item per container
    • package into paper bags, breathable plastic bags, swab boxes/tubes or envelopes
  2. “Associative” DNA examination (for example, firearms, knives, tools that may have been handled/used).    
    To properly submit this evidence, you must package items in a manner that limits movement within the container.
  3. Vehicles    
    To properly submit this evidence, you must inform the Centre Receiving Office prior to submission.
  4. Condoms, diapers, human tissue samples/bones, sanitary napkins/tampons:    
    To properly submit this evidence, it must be frozen and in a leak-proof container.
  5. Comparison samples    
    To properly submit this evidence, it must be air dried before packaging.

Comparison samples

Comparison samples are required to help compare DNA profiles generated in a case to help:

  • exclude individuals as the source of unknown DNA profiles
  • scientists in the interpretation of complex DNA profiles
  • ensure that DNA profiles attributable to complainants/deceased are not uploaded to the DNA Databank

Submitting comparison samples

Samples from known individuals, collected with consent, by warrant or discarded, may be submitted at any point.

Comparison samples from complainants should always be submitted with the first round of items in every case.

Accompanying case synopsis

When you submit comparison samples, you must submit it with an accompanying case synopsis which should include:

  • the comparison sample type (for example, consent, warrant or discard)
  • a list of any other cases and items to which a comparison is requested and authorized, if outside of the current case (if none are listed, comparisons will be confined to results generated in the case for which the comparison sample is submitted)

Blood examination

If blood is suspected, submit the entire item (where possible) for examination. If this is not possible, consult the “Bloodstains” section in the Forensic Evidence Handbook for submission tips.

The extent of examinations for blood will depend on the case specific information provide, such as the number of potential bleeders and the purpose of the testing.

Aways indicate the number of potential bleeders (if known) and the nature of the allegations.

Prior testing

Do not test items prior to submission with Hemastix® or with blood enhancing chemicals, such as Luminol, BlueStar®, LMG etc.

Testing items for blood prior to submission can compromise DNA analysis as it may result in:

  • removal of DNA
  • destruction of DNA
  • inhibition of DNA analysis
  • contamination with other sources of DNA during the testing process
  • additionally, such testing will preclude the ability to collect and preserve trace evidence

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA)

Swabs collected for BPA can be processed for blood identification and/or DNA analysis (if necessary). BPA swab examinations will be limited, and swabs must be chosen by the BPA expert. In the majority of cases only a small subset of BPA swabs are examined.

A maximum of 1 swab per identified bloodstain pattern will be considered for the first round of testing.

The number of swabs accepted per submission will vary according to:

  • the number of potential bleeders
  • the number of scenes associated with the alleged event
  • the number of bloodstain patterns identified
  • the results of other examinations in the case

Consultation between CFS and the assigned bloodstain pattern analyst may be required.

Sexual assault cases

Direct to DNA

Where internal samples are available, sexual assault cases are subjected to a “direct to DNA” approach, where swabs are processed for DNA without body fluid testing. Follow the steps below to use the direct to DNA approach:

Step 1:

  • internal swabs
  • external genitalia swabs
  • comparison samples

Step 2 (if required - may include body fluid testing):

  • skin swabs
  • clothing items

Examination strategy

The examination strategy will depend on the case specific information. Therefore, please inform the scientific advisor of the following:

  • increased urgency due to public safety risk
  • nature of the allegations
  • actions of the complainant following the alleged incident (for example, bathing)
  • items available in the sexual assault examination kit (SAEK)
  • last previous consensual activity
  • use of lubricants
  • whether the investigation indicates that consent is an issue
  • if/how the complainant and alleged perpetrator are known to each other
  • if items have been collected from the alleged perpetrator
  • necessity for attribution of DNA profile to a body fluid

Additional sexual assault submission instructions

  • Air dry swabs and clothing prior to submission.
  • Indicate whether clothing items have been laundered since the alleged incident.
  • Submit condoms, sanitary napkins, tampons and diapers frozen.
  • Submit only items relevant to the case.
  • Submit SAEK paperwork.
  • Submit comparison samples from consensual partner(s).
  • Ensure blood/urine for toxicology testing is refrigerated.

Firearms

Fingerprinting/test firing is to occur after biology examinations.

During consultation, inform the scientific advisor of any requirements to protect the firearm for potential future fingerprinting analyses.

Swabbing cartridge cases

Swabs of cartridge cases have a poor success rate in terms of generating a DNA profile suitable for comparison.

Where multiple fired cartridge cases have been recovered that have likely been fired from the same weapon, a single combined swab of all items may be submitted.

When swabs of cartridge cases are accepted

Swabs of single fired cartridge cases will only be accepted in primary designated offences. They will only be examined if the firearm the cartridge case was discharged from was not recovered, or if it did not generate a DNA profile that is suitable for comparison.

When swabs of cartridge cases are not accepted

Swabs of fired cartridge cases will not be routinely accepted if the cases have been treated with fingerprint reagents or manipulated without the use of gloves (consult with CFS advisor for exception requests).

Swabbing firearms

When you swab a firearm, using a single swab you must swab both sides of the textured area of grip and/or slide only.

We will not accept swabs from the:

  • hammer
  • trigger
  • trigger guard
  • muzzle

Body fluid examination

If body fluid examination is not required, you must submit either the firearm or a swab of the firearm.

If body fluid examination is required, you must submit the firearm.

Associative DNA analysis

Associative DNA Analysis (previously referred to as ’handler DNA’) is a method used to associate an individual with an item. Consultation with a scientific advisor must occur prior to submission.

Acceptance criteria

The item must meet the following criteria to use Associative DNA analysis:

  • Item was brought to scene by alleged perpetrator.
  • Item has not been handled by multiple individuals.
  • Item has not previously been fingerprinted.


Associative DNA Analysis pertains to:

  • firearms
  • knives
  • tools

Associative DNA Analysis does not usually include:

  • briefly touched items
  • grabbed clothing

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting prior to submission may compromise the ability to generate a DNA profile due to:

  • use of reclaimed chemicals during the fingerprinting process
  • manner in which item has been handled prior to submission

DNA analysis will not routinely be conducted on items already fingerprinted. Preserving smooth components for fingerprinting may decrease the likelihood of generating a DNA profile.

Associative DNA analysis examination strategy

The examination strategy should be determined prior to examinations, in consultation with CFS Scientific Advisor.

Use the questions below to help determine what DNA analysis examination strategy to use.

  • Does the item have a rough handle?
    • Submit for handler DNA analysis.
  • Does the item have a smooth handle?
    • Select either fingerprint OR handler DNA analysis.
  • Does the item have both rough and smooth components on handle?
    • Select either fingerprint OR handler DNA analysis.

Contacts

Major Crime Scientific Advisor 
Email: CFS.biology.majorcrime@ontario.ca 
647-329-1602

Contact the Major Crime Scientific Advisor for cases involving murder, attempt murder, assault and robbery.

Sexual Assault Scientific Advisor   
Email: CFS.biology.sexualassault@ontario.ca 
647-329-1603

Contact the Sexual Assault Scientific Advisor for cases involving sexual assault.

Centre of Forensic Sciences — Sault Ste. Marie Laboratory 
705-945-6550

Contact the Centre of Forensic Sciences - Sault Ste. Marie Laboratory for all violent crimes or sexual assaults committed in Northern Ontario.