Forensic Identification Bureau

The 32 members of the Forensic Identification Bureau are responsible for the collection of the forensic evidence found at crime scenes. Officers use cutting-edge technology to photograph, videotape, collect DNA samples, and record fingerprints at crime scenes so evidence presented in court meets the rigorous standards of the Canadian judicial system. The FIB is comprised of three teams: the Scenes of Crime Officers, the Forensic Identification Officers, and the Archaeological Forensic Recovery Team. Each team responds to different calls for service depending on  the conditions and severity of the scene.

In 2008, the FIB received 6,700 callouts for service at crime scenes, up from 6,280 in 2007, FIB investigations resulted in the positive identifications of 243 suspects in 2008, more than doubling the 116 positive identifications made in 2007.

2008 Highlights

FIB's new Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) went live in 2008. The system catalogues thousands of palm and fingerprint forms that can be compared to prints found at recent crime scenes to prints in the database. APFIS has already assisted in the positive identification of suspects in several cold case files, solving crimes that would have otherwise gone unsolved. APFIS will increase its usefulness and success rate over time as more prints are added and plans are already in motion to coordinate the database with the RCMP's palm and fingerprint system, creating a broad network that will help the Forensic Identification Bureau's members identify suspects and solve cold cases with greater efficiency.