Accommodations are offered to course participants. Our rooms are subject to availability and the request must be indicated on the course registration form
Meal plans are offered to course participants. The specific meal plan must be indicated on the course registration form
Travel grant funding is available to our non-federal law enforcement agencies
2026
Course registration details
Session(s)
Location
Start date
End date
26-01 English
Ottawa
2026-10-19
2026-10-23
Cost
Tuition
$4,150.00
Notes
Accommodations are offered to course participants. Our rooms are subject to availability and the request must be indicated on the course registration form
Meal plans are offered to course participants. The specific meal plan must be indicated on the course registration form
Travel grant funding is available to our non-federal law enforcement agencies
Description
This course provides the knowledge and skills required to recognise, measure and record bloodstain patterns. It explores theory, including bloodstain pattern terminology, and principles of physics on how they relate to bloodstain evidence. Students are introduced to presumptive tests, chemical reagents, and the process for identifying, documenting and collecting suitable samples for DNA testing. Proper handling and packaging of samples to avoid possible contamination and degeneration of the DNA is another component covered in the course. Knowledge and skills are developed through hands-on practice exercises and experiments where students observe how blood droplets look on different surfaces, examine the droplets' directionality, determine their point of origin and further develop their knowledge of and skills related to crime scene processing.
Format and delivery
Length of course
5 days
Class size
maximum 20 students
Delivery setting
theoretical components are delivered in classroom; practical components may take place indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the history of bloodstain pattern analysis in crime scene investigations
Ability to recognize different bloodstain patterns
Understanding the impact angle of a bloodstain
Understanding how blood behaves under pre-set conditions
Knowledge of the human anatomy as it relates to human blood function and human body veinal systems
Ability to perform bloodstain swabbing for laboratory analysis
Understanding the value and uses of voids in bloodstain pattern analysis
Understanding how to apply mathematic formulas and physics principles to bloodstain pattern analysis
Understanding how to record a bloodletting scene
Ability to assess bloodstain spatter on fabrics
Understanding how to process a mock crime scene
Understanding the characteristics of spatter produced by a gunshot
Ability to perform presumptive tests
Eligibility and mandatory requirements
Registrants must have successfully completed the Forensic Identification Course (FIC) from the Canadian Police College or an equivalent accredited course recognized by CPC. International registrants must have successfully completed a course equivalent or comparable to the Forensic Identification Course (FIC) from the Canadian Police College.
Assessment
Success in the course is based on participation and completion of all required assignments
Various evaluation methods are used, including a practical exam and final written exam
Re-testing or re-evaluation is conducted at the discretion of the course instructor