Workshops

All workshops at the 2023 CSFS Conference are taking place on Monday June 12th, 2023. Coffee breaks, as well as breakfast and/or lunch are provided for all workshop attendees.

To attend, please purchase by clicking on the relevant button or going to the CSFS Shop. Note: Space is limited.

Workshop 1

Practical Aspects of Testifying as an Expert Witness

Workshop date: Monday June 12th, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Discipline covered: Expert Testimony
Cost: $150 members ($200 non-members)

Workshop Description: A variety of topics relating to expert witness testimony will be discussed, including, but not limited to: why testimony is stressful, being impartial, definitions & nomenclature, expert reports – content, formatting and detail, avoiding problems before court, mistakes and how to handle them, curriculum vitae, rules when testifying, practical tips when attending court, answering questions, handling evidence-based challenges, handling obfuscation, cross-examination techniques, when it seems to get personal, and more. Participants will be asked to outline their concerns about testifying. Those concerns will be addressed where practical.

Facilitator: John Hugel

Facilitator Bio: John Hugel graduated from the University of Toronto in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He has worked in clandestine drug laboratory investigation in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada; in Auckland, New Zealand; and in Sydney, Australia. He is not a private consultant based in Toronto Canada where he trains, writes reports, and testifies. During his 45-year career, he has assisted in more than 400 clandestine drug laboratory investigations and testified in court more than 100 times. Accomplishments include writing chapters in two books and several scientific articles, and presenting at forensic drug conferences.

Workshop 2

Over 70 Years of Breath Alcohol Testing in Canada: From the Drunkometer to the Intoxilyzer 9000

Workshop date: Monday June 12th, 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Discipline covered: Law, Toxicology
Cost: $75 members ($100 non-members)

Workshop Description: This half-day workshop will explore the historical, forensic and legal aspects of breath alcohol testing of drinking drivers in Canada from the early days of the Drunkometer and Breathalyzer in the 1950s to the modern automatic IR instruments of today. The recent changes to the criminal code as well as recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions will be presented by a highly experienced Crown Attorney.

Facilitator(s): James Wigmore, Karen Woodall, Matthew Morley and Michal Plate

Facilitator Bio: James Wigmore has been a forensic toxicologist specializing in alcohol for over 40 years. He has testified in over 700 criminal trials throughout Canada. He has published over 70 forensic toxicology articles which have been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada and the High Court of South Africa. He was the recipient of the prestigious Derome Award from the Canadian Society of Forensic Science.

Workshop 3

Partners in Crime: Academic-Forensic Laboratory Collaboration to Advance R&D Initiatives

Workshop date: Monday June 12th, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Discipline covered: Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology, BPA, Research
Cost: $75 members ($100 non-members)

Workshop Description: The development of partnerships between forensic practitioners and academic institutions is an effective approach to address research priorities which benefit the forensic community and support medico-legal investigations. Research and development (R&D) collaboration in forensic science is invaluable as it integrates actual forensic casework with academia and allows mutual research interests and capabilities to thrive. The benefits are evident: publicly funded forensic laboratories frequently have R&D as part of their mandate; however, increasing caseloads create operational pressures which limit the ability to dedicate time to R&D. At the same time, the popularity of post-secondary forensic science programs is increasing for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. This creates increased demand for research placements which are readily fulfilled by established and ongoing research partnerships. Academic-forensic laboratory collaborations thus enhance both forensic science operations and the university student experience whilst providing focused forensic science research that is vital to improving the quality, validity, and reliability of forensic evidence in the criminal justice system.
This workshop will feature presentations by forensic practitioners, university researchers and forensic science students on establishing and maintaining academic-forensic partnerships. Attendees will benefit from practical information on how to enter into effective collaborations; from initiating or proposing projects to preparing research agreements, to co-authoring manuscripts for publication. The benefits and barriers to forensic practitioners, academics and students will also be discussed. Through this workshop, the benefits of on-going collaboration will be realized, with the opportunity to enhance and improve upon existing relationships.

Facilitator(s): Karen Woodall, Teri Martin

Facilitator Bio: Teri Martin has worked at the Centre of Forensic Science (CFS) since 1999 where she was previously a Forensic Toxicologist and is currently the Head of Research and Development. Karen Woodall also worked as a Forensic Toxicologist at CFS for 20 years before joining the University of Toronto as Assistant Professor. Dr. Woodall and Ms. Martin have collaborated on several successful research projects and have co-authored a number of peer-reviewed articles in forensic toxicology with a focus on opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.

Workshop 4

Career Readiness for Forensic Science Students

Workshop date: Monday June 12th, 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Discipline covered: Education, Forensic Science, Job-readiness skills
Cost: $50 members ($75 non-members)

Workshop Description: As part of this year’s conference theme, Forensic Science in Canada: An Evolving Community, the evolving forensic community is inclusive of the next generation of forensic science practitioners. With a focus on student success, this half-day workshop will emphasize job-readiness skills, education and post-graduation expectations.

Today’s world of work changes rapidly, and the jobs and skills in demand constantly evolving. A panel of experts will share their experiences in effectively preparing, hiring and training future forensic science students. Discussions will center around the technical/interpersonal skills and competencies that employers are looking for as well as educational requirements and expectations. Finally, attendees will participate in a resume and cover letter review activity.

Facilitator(s): Sean Fitzgerald (Detective Sergeant, York Regional Police), Cecilia Hageman Ph.D., LL.B., LL.M. (Associate Teaching Professor, OntarioTech University & Forensic Scientist Wyndham Forensics), Amanda Lowe (Forensic Research and Training Analyst, Ontario Provincial Police)

Facilitator Bio(s):

Sean Fitzgerald began his policing career with York Regional Police in 1990. In 1999 Sean transferred into the Forensic Identification Unit (FIU). Sean was promoted to the rank of Detective in 2007 and remained in FIU as a platoon supervisor. In 2022 Sean was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant and is currently the Officer in Charge of FIU. During his career in FIU Sean obtained his Bachelor of Forensic Identification Degree from Laurentian University. Sean is currently an executive member of the Ontario Forensic Investigators Association.

Dr. Cecilia Hageman is a BSc (Genetics), PhD (Plant Sciences) and LLB graduate of the University of Western Ontario in London. She is an associate member of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Call to Bar in 1991) and an LLM (Criminal Law) graduate of York University (Osgoode Hall). She was employed as a forensic biologist with the Centre of Forensic Sciences (MCSCS, Ontario) in Toronto beginning in 1991 and has been an expert witness in criminal proceedings in Ontario courts in the fields of body fluid identification, forensic DNA analysis and bloodstain pattern analysis. She was a member of CFS’s Biology Section management team from 1998 to 2013. In July of 2013, she joined the Faculty of Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (now Ontario Tech University) and is an associate teaching professor in Ontario Tech’s Forensic Science Program, where she mentors and supervises student research, and also develops and teaches undergraduate courses in forensic biology, population genetics, criminalistics and law. Her publications include the essential DNA Handbook (1st edition, 2002; 2ndedition, 2008) and key book chapters on forensic evidence and the law including Blood and Bodily Substances and Forensic Biology and DNA. She is a past president of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science, and, is currently a chief scientific officer and reporting scientist in a private forensic laboratory, Wyndham Forensic Group, based in Guelph, Ontario.

Amanda Lowe is a Forensic Research and Training Analyst within Forensic Identification Services of the Ontario Provincial Police and an Adjunct Professor within the School of Natural Sciences at Laurentian University. Throughout her forensic career she has held a variety of positions including Forensic Scientist within the Toxicology Section of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, Project and Research Analyst within the Office of the Chief Coroner, and Forensic Services Technologist within the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. She is certified in Forensic Identification through the Canadian Police College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science Honours degree from Trent University and a Master of Science in Applied Bioscience degree from Ontario Tech University with a research focus in forensic analytical chemistry and geophysics.

Workshop 5

The Obligations and Challenges of the Forensic Engineer as an Expert Witness

Workshop date: Monday June 12th, 8:30 PM to 12:00 PM
Discipline covered: Engineering, Law
Cost: $75 members ($100 non-members)

Workshop Description: In the first half of the workshop, the facilitators will discuss the civil litigation process, from the commencement of a claim, to trial and appeal and the alternatives to this highly formalized mode of dispute resolution. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of an expert witness, and how forensic engineers assist legal practitioners and adjudicators. The rules of practice and civil procedure will be explained as they pertain to the required content and timing for delivery of expert witness reports. Examples of conflict of interest and the types of bias that might influence the expert’s opinion will be explained including effective bias avoidance techniques. The importance of proper documentation of consultations, drafts, and peer and client review of the expert reports will be highlighted.

In the second half of the workshop, the participants will be asked to review brief case summaries and work in groups to evaluate and comment on key issues including conflict of interest, the jack of all trades expert, the doctrine of independence, expert versus non-expert opinions, restricted scopes of investigation, inconsistency, advocacy, and opinions rendered based on limited information.

Learning Outcomes: Participants who complete this workshop will be able to:

• Understand the basic steps of civil procedure, including the exchange of pleadings, documentary and oral discovery, trial, and appeal;
• Compare and contrast civil procedure with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration;
• Appreciate the role and responsibilities of forensic engineers as expert witnesses and recognize their duty to the triers of fact;
• Better identify and avoid conflict of interest and maintain ethical conduct;
• Recognize the different forms of bias that might influence their objectivity and professional opinions;
• Describe the qualities of an effective expert’s written opinion and oral testimony;
• Manage narrow scopes of retainer and recognize questions that are not within their area of expertise; 
• Understand and apply the Rules of Civil Procedure as they pertain to expert witness reports; and
• Properly utilize and document the peer-review process both as authors and reviewers while maintaining their independence.

Target Audience: This workshop is a high-level training opportunity for engineers from all disciplines, and other investigators alike, seeking to develop and/or refine their understanding of the role of forensic investigators who are engaged to provide an expert opinion for use in a legal or an alternate dispute resolution setting.

Facilitator(s): Yasser Korany, Ph.D., P.E., P.Eng., LEED AP, PMP, DFE; Joseph Figliomeni, HBA, JD

Facilitator Bio(s):

Dr. Korany is the Principal of KSI Engineering, a firm that specializes in investigating structural collapses and building envelope failures. He is a construction litigation and dispute resolution expert and has been qualified as an expert witness by all levels of court in both Canada and USA. Dr. Korany is a board-certified senior member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers and the current Chair of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Forensic Engineering Technical Committee.

Mr. Figliomeni is a Partner at Cambridge LLP, a law firm with offices in Toronto, Burlington, and Elliot Lake, Ontario. He is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer. His areas of concentration are business, real property, and estate litigation. Mr. Figliomeni is a graduate and former faculty member of the Richard Ivey School of Business. He obtained his law degree from Western University.