CSI classroom: Humber College unveils forensic lab
December 1, 2009
Emily Mathieu
STAFF REPORTER
Readers, can you spot the key pieces of evidence at this crime scene?
On Monday, Humber College unveiled its Centre for Justice Leadership, featuring a state-of-the-art forensic lab and classroom capable of housing a mock crime scene for student analysis.
In January, the first class of students will get to use the forensic lab to analyze bullets and develop fingerprints, using a variety of techniques including a laser.
They will also tread gingerly through mock crime scenes, collect evidence and grill potential suspects in special interview rooms.
The 18,000-square-foot facility was made possible through provincial funding and grants from the federal government's Knowledge Infrastructure Program for the Lakeshore Revitalization projects.
On Monday, students tackled a re-creation of the murder of 17-year-old University of Toronto student Deliana Heng, who was raped and strangled in her apartment on Spalding Ave. in the early 1980s.
We pulled three pieces of evidence found by police – which also can be seen in the main photograph – to show how they were used to crack the case.
THE SLIP
This camisole was found close to Deliana Heng's body. After
it was packaged, it would be sent for DNA testing, instructor Rod
Spencer explained.
During the investigation in the 1980s, an
analysis of a stain on the slip found semen, which was tested for blood
type (DNA testing was not available at the time). That result was later
matched with a teardrop shed by Heng's killer during an interview with
police. Heng's killer had denied being in the apartment. The match
between the teardrop and the stain helped police connect him to the
crime.
THE BODY
"The victim had ligature marks on her ankles and wrist. That
indicated there was some type of restraint used in the commission of
the crime," said second-year student Jeff Goodlet, as he gestured to
where the body was found.
"That would help you eliminate potential suspects if it was a repeat crime."
After
fingerprints led police to the apartment of the killer, they located a
set of handcuffs that had been used to restrain the victim. Heng was
strangled with the cord from an iron – its position was documented and
entered into evidence.
THE GLASS
In the end, the students learned that the key piece of
evidence had been a fingerprint on a glass that led police to Heng's
killer, who had been arrested weeks before for a minor theft.
"We have fingerprinted it and put on the protective tape to preserve it," explained first-year student Victoria Zarif.
The glass was taken to the lab where the preserved print was enhanced to find a match in the police database.
Spencer said the techniques students would use in the new lab are very similar to how the original case was handled.
Toronto Star