The Forensic Unit is a forensic laboratory operated by the government of Alberta. The Unit is housed in Investigation Services which is part of the Sheriffs Branch. Our laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards and SCC requirements of forensic testing laboratories.
The main focus of the laboratory is to support investigations into wildlife crime through the analysis of evidence. The most requested form of analysis is microsatellite analysis. Because, DNA tests for wildlife are generally not commercially available, the Forensic Unit has developed and validated most of its own tests. The laboratory offers microsatellite analysis for a variety of game species including bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, cougar, white-tailed deer and mule deer. In addition to microsatellite tests, the laboratory has also developed DNA sequencing based tests that are used for species identification.
In addition to DNA testing, the Forensic Unit also performs: post mortem examinations on wildlife, morphological examinations of evidence to determine species and chemical tests to identify lead and blood. In addition to this wide variety of tests and examinations, the Forensic Unit also offers aid in the execution of search warrants, produces court documents and provides expert witness testimony.