Forensic Sciences Branch (FSB) provides technical and/or specialized investigative support services to all operational areas of the EPS. More specifically, the FSB primarily identifies, collects, examines, and analyzes physical and digital evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can assist in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The FSB is comprised of three diverse and specialized Sections:

• Crime Scenes Investigations Section
• Digital Forensics Section
• Provincial Forensic Services Section

Each Section is further broken down into various Units and, in some cases, details with each Unit / Detail assuming either a primary or key investigative support role.

FSB is managed by an Inspector reporting directly to the Superintendent i/c Investigative Support Division.

Crime Scenes Investigation Section

Crime Scenes Investigation Section (CSIS) is comprised of Crime Scenes Investigation Unit and Forensic Support Unit that provides critical forensic support to all the investigative areas of the EPS.

CSIS applies scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime (ie. fingerprinting, DNA analysis, firearms, and ballistics examination), identify, document, seize and analyze known and suspected evidence in furtherance of police or law enforcement investigations, and provide leading edge critical in-house forensic identification training.

Further, CSIS also liaises locally, nationally, and internationally to ensure generally accepted forensic standards are maintained, establish and maintain professional relationships with external justice partners such as the Crown Prosecutor’s Office (Federal and Provincial) and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and establish and maintain professional relationships with external forensic services providers such as the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory and other private laboratory and forensic supplies and instrument providers.

Forensic Support Unit – Forensic Support Unit (FSU) is responsible for training of all FSU and CSIS members. Expertise within FSU includes footwear analysis. FSU further supports Crime Scenes Investigation Section and Provincial Forensic Services Section with ongoing training, proficiency testing, administrative, and maintenance tasks. FSU also manages all property exhibit examinations through the Evidence Recovery Teams and oversees the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).

CSIS staffing is comprised of four CSI squads of one Sergeant and six Constables and Forensic Support Unit comprised of sworn and civilian support staff.  CSIS is managed by a Staff Sergeant reporting directly to the Inspector i/c Forensic Sciences Branch.

Digital Forensics Section

Digital Forensics Section (DFS) provides forensic video analysis services, primary or support investigative services regarding criminal files possessing a cyber nexus (ie. where technology was used in furtherance of a traditional crime (ie. extortion, threats, fraud, etc.) or the target (ie. theft of or mischief to data), and forensic analysis services for e-devices and e-media.

DFS is comprised of two Units:

Technological Crimes Unit – Technological Crimes Unit (TCU) provides in-field and laboratory forensic analysis of e‑devices and e-media in furtherance of criminal or other police related investigations.  Specifically, TCU is responsible for capturing, extracting, and analyzing digital evidence from devices capable of storing such information (ie. computers, cellphones, laptops, tablets, digital storage media, etc.) utilizing specialized training and proprietary technology to do so.

Forensic Video Unit – Facial Recognition Forensic Video Unit is comprised of:

• Forensic Video Analysis captures, extracts, and analyses video evidence recorded on various surveillance video systems usually privately owned and operated. This digital evidence generally requires experts to safely seize and ultimately present in court.
• Facial Recognition promotes and manages the day-to-day operations of EPS’s facial recognition solution and acts as the primary investigative video retrieval resource for all investigative areas of the Service.
  ​

Provincial Forensic Services Section

Provincial Forensic Services Section (PFSS) supports the organization by providing expediated actionable intelligence to investigators from firearm examinations.  PFSS supports Provincial and Federal courts by providing examination reports and Certificates of Analysis for relevant criminal code charges.  Partnered with all police agencies within the Province of Alberta to provide quick firearm examinations.

Provincial Forensic Services Section is comprised of two units:

Firearms Examination Unit – Firearms Examination Unit (FEU) classifies and performs functionality tests of seized firearms to ensure comprehensive forensic evidence recovery of all firearm related exhibits. Certificates of Analysis are completed for court purposes and FEU utilizes the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) to compare cartridge casings against the national database of other expended cartridges and fired bullets.

PFSS is administered by a manager reporting directly to the Inspector i/c Forensic Sciences Branch. PFSS supports Investigative Sections through Forensic Biology reporting.

Forensic Biology Unit – Forensic Biology Unit (FBU) manages all forensic biology exhibits sent to the National Forensic Laboratory Services and manages EPS’s Rapid DNA solution. Expertise in FBU includes blood pattern analysis.