For the past four years, Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School has proudly developed a strong and meaningful partnership with the Forensic Science Program at Humber Polytechnic. This collaboration has provided students from both Science and Social Science courses with unique opportunities to explore the captivating world of forensic science and its connection to the legal and justice systems.
Students have expressed great interest in learning about forensic science procedures, investigative techniques, and the critical role that forensic evidence plays in criminal investigations. Through hands-on experiences and interactive learning opportunities, students gain valuable insight into how scientific methods are used to support the administration of justice.
As part of this partnership, Humber Polytechnic has generously welcomed McLuhan students to its facilities, providing access to faculty experts and professionals and forensic laboratories and learning spaces. During the visits, Humber Polytechnic utilizes forensic science labs for our students, supplies all necessary materials, and organizes dedicated faculty and student volunteers to support and guide student learning throughout the experience.
These immersive activities allow students to apply classroom learning concepts in a real-world setting while learning from faculty members, professional experts, and post-secondary students. The experience not only deepens students' understanding of forensic science but also helps them explore potential educational and career pathways in science, criminology, law, and related fields.
Here are a few of our students' reflections on their learning experience:
The Forensic Science excursion to Humber Polytechnic was enlightening and a great hands-on learning experience. Throughout the visit, we were given opportunities to examine fingerprinting techniques and learned about the different types of fingerprints. The presenters were very clear with the instructions and were very inspiring to look forward to, making the experience more intriguing and educational. They demonstrated each activity with precision and presented some of the tools crucial in solving various crime cases. This visit was especially insightful to me as I plan on pursuing a career in psychology which helped me acquire a deeper understanding of forensic science as a branch of psychology. Overall, this excursion gave us an irreplaceable glimpse into the work of Forensics, deepening our understanding of the work being done behind the scenes required in the justice system. - Matthias, J.
I found the forensic trip at the Humber Centre for Justice Leadership to be incredibly interesting, informative, and insightful especially regarding the fingerprinting methods involved in the field of forensic science. At the beginning of the trip, the assistants introduced us to the history of fingerprinting. This was very useful as it taught a few facts and notable figures involved in the origins of this field, such as how they were used in Ancient Babylonia and how Henry Fauld first suggested using them for helping to catch criminals. I also enjoyed the various hands-on activities provided, such as learning how to accurately reveal and lift fingerprints. The assistants were very knowledgeable and friendly throughout the entire trip. Overall, I believe that the Humber Centre for Justice Leadership forensics trip was a great experience and a great opportunity to gather information on the field of forensics and the processes behind fingerprinting. – Nathan, C.
The forensics trip was an educational experience outside of school, where other disciplines of science were explored. The lectures were informative, containing both the history and applications of forensics in society. It was fascinating to learn about the development of forensics and how forensic scientists look for different things as opposed to other scientists. More importantly, it was very insightful to learn from the students volunteering at the forensic lab and from the experts and the department head of forensic lab. In addition, I learned that forensic science is closely tied to solving the crime while also containing different sections called “different parts of the house.” Ultimately, it was an enriching learning experience about forensics, why it is important, what forensics is about, and how it is applied in the real world. – Frances, L.
The forensic science excursion provides valuable insights and perspectives for students interested in pursuing careers in forensic science. Despite differences in interests, this experience is not only fun but also extremely beneficial to my future career choices, as it provides me with knowledge of forensic science, giving me more options for my future career. The introductory lecture on fingerprints in forensics provided me with prior knowledge, whilst the hands-on experience of powder dusting taught me how to apply that knowledge in real forensic cases to identify fingerprints. Furthermore, the interactive simulated crime scene activities gave me important insights into the routines and roles of forensic investigators at crime scenes and reminded me of the importance of fingerprints for privacy. Through this forensic science excursion, I was not only educated in specific forensic knowledge but also given insight into the broader field of forensic science, which can benefit me significantly in my future career. - Lin, Y.
The forensic science trip to Humber Polytechnic was a very interesting and enjoyable experience for me. I liked having the opportunity to learn about forensic science in a hands-on way, especially when we explored fingerprinting techniques and the different types of fingerprints investigators use in real cases. My favourite part was the activity where we practiced revealing and lifting fingerprints using forensic tools, because it made the experience feel very realistic. The lab assistants were friendly and explained everything clearly, which made the activities easy to follow and fun to participate in. The trip was both educational and exciting, and it helped me better understand how forensic science is used to solve crimes. - Elena. S.
I attended the excursion to Humber Polytechnic to learn more about forensic science and how it is utilized in real-life crime scenarios. We got to learn how to lift fingerprints from surfaces like glass and use different powders to make them even more visible. We also used a similar technique to inspect our own handprints and all the different swirl patterns. We learned firsthand from expert investigators and lab technicians in the forensic programs. This trip really expanded my interest in forensic science-related fields because it allowed me to see what really goes into these types of jobs. It taught me about different paths encompassed in the study of forensics and sparked my interest in forensic psychology, combining two of my interests that I had never realized could be related. - Julia S.
McLuhan School is grateful for the continued support and commitment of Humber Polytechnic in facilitating significant experiential learning for students. This partnership exemplifies the value of community and post-secondary collaborations in enriching student learning and inspiring future studies and success. We look forward to continuing this relationship and providing our students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences in the years to come!
