Overview

The Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) High Volume Service (HVS) conducts high volume deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis to help identify perpetrator(s) in the investigation of offences, including:

  • break and enters
  • secondary DNA designated offences

Submitting evidence

For DNA analysis services, fill out a submission request and submit a case synopsis using the online submission portal.

Refer to the case synopsis writing guide when preparing your case synopsis to ensure you’re including all relevant information. This will help expedite the approval of your submission by reducing the need for follow-up questions.

You can find the case synopsis writing guide in the case synopsis section of the submission request form.

You are not required to consult with HVS staff before submitting.

For other enquiries, you may contact the high volume scientific advisor by either:

Acceptance criteria

All submissions to the Biology section of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, including the High Volume Service, must meet the National DNA Databank (NDDB) criteria as per the DNA Identification Act.

Submissions to the HVS must contain DNA profiles derived from bodily substances found either:

  • at any place where a designated offence was committed
  • on or within the body of the victim of a designated offence
  • on anything worn or carried by the victim at the time when a designated offence was committed
  • on or within the body of any person or thing or at any place associated with the commission of a designated offence

Qualifying offences

You can submit DNA evidence to the DNA High Volume Service for:

  • primary designated offences, including section 348(1)(d) Breaking and entering a dwelling house, (as per section 487.04 of the Criminal Code).
  • all listed and generic secondary designated offences, except for:
    • s. 98.1 Robbery to steal firearm
    • s. 266 Assault
    • s. 270 Assaulting a peace officer
    • ss. 280/281/282/283 Abduction offences
    • all traffic offences involving direct impact of a person by a vehicle resulting in injury or death
    • any offences with a “cause death” element

All other primary designated offences and the secondary designated offences listed above are accepted in the Biology Violent Crime Service.

You can find the complete list of designated offences on the NDDB.

Non-designated offences

We cannot legally upload DNA profiles to the DNA databank unless the evidence is submitted under a DNA designated offence due to restrictions in the DNA Identification Act. Evidence from non-designated offences will not be accepted for DNA testing without the concurrent submission of a reference sample from the suspect/accused/person of interest.

Number of items accepted

For best use of CFS resources, focus submissions on the least number of items to identify the perpetrator(s). When choosing items to submit, consider which items are:

  • the most relevant to address the allegation
  • the best sources of DNA (those that contain a body fluid) 
    For example, if a perpetrator leaves a backpack behind at the scene and it contains a used water bottle, only submit the swab of the water bottle and not an additional swab of the backpack. 
    It is reasonable to expect the source will be the same, and a swab of water bottle has a good success rate of generating a DNA profile, while a swab of backpack does not.

Single perpetrators

Without information indicating multiple perpetrators, you may initially submit up to 3 items per case. Follow-up submissions (up to a maximum of 5 items per case) may be considered pending the results of the initial submission.

Multiple perpetrators

With information indicating multiple perpetrators, you may initially submit up to 5 items per case.

The item limit is 5 items per case. Exceptions must be approved by a HVS advisor.

Items accepted

The HVS routinely accepts 3 types of items:

Items should not undergo presumptive body fluid testing by the submitting agency and must be sampled for DNA prior to fingerprinting.

Standard item types

Cigarette butt

If you submit a cigarette butt to the HVS, it must:

  • be whole
  • have been smoked

If you’re submitting a plastic cigarillo tip or smoked cigar, it must be swabbed and submitted as a saliva swab.

Cut-out from envelope flap

If you’re submitting a cut-out from an envelope flap, the envelope must not be a self-sealing envelope. Follow these steps to collect a sample from the envelope:

  1. Decontaminate a disposable blade or scissors with a ~1% bleach solution.
  2. Cut-out an approximately 2 cm x 2 cm section from the flap of the envelope.
  3. Rinse the blade with water between uses.

Do not submit the whole item for sampling as the HVS does not return untested material. Since most postage stamps are self-adhesive, they are not accepted for DNA analysis.

Swab

You may submit swabs of a variety of item types, but the item must have been brought to the scene and left behind by the perpetrator.

Follow these steps to properly swab and process an item:

  1. Process each item using only one swab.
  2. Before using a swab, slightly moistened it with sterile water, unless there is a possibility that there is blood or saliva on an item that is still wet. Thoroughly wet the swab when you’re swabbing a large, absorbent surface, such as a fabric glove.
  3. Ensure that you swab the entire area of interest thoroughly using sufficient pressure.
  4. Rotate the swab to use the entire swab head. (Watch the training videos on the online submission portal for a demonstration of swabbing technique).
  5. Dry the wet swabs prior to packaging the sample to prevent mold.
  6. Do not submit control swabs.

Submitting more than one swab in a package will result in the item being returned untested.

Swab types

There are 5 main swab types. Each type has a specific method of correctly swabbing the items.

Swab of possible blood

Suspected blood swabs are only carried forward to DNA analysis if they test positive for blood.

Testing for blood is the only body fluid identification regularly performed by the HVS. In rare cases, testing for other body fluids may be relevant to the specific allegations. An exception to the standard process must be requested prior to submission.

You must have established investigative information that more than one perpetrator was bleeding to submit more than one blood swab.

Do not oversaturate the swab with blood. Doing so can inhibit our ability to obtain a DNA profile.

Do not test suspected bloodstains or swabs with presumptive tests, such as Hematsix® or enhancement chemicals, such as Luminol, BlueStar®, or Leucomalachite Green Test (LMG). These can inhibit our ability to obtain a DNA profile.

Swab of syringe

Swab the entire needle. Using the same swab, swab inside the syringe if blood-like staining is present.

Swab of drink container/drinking implement (DCS)

A swab of a drink container should be limited to drink containers and drinking implements that appear to have been used for their stated purpose within the time frame of the relevant offence. For example, a swab of a water bottle used to transfer a volatile liquid to an arson would not be considered a DCS.

Swab the entire inner and outer mouth area of a drink container and include the inside cap if applicable. Both ends of a straw should be swabbed with the same swab if unknown which end was used.

Swab of partially eaten food/eating utensil

Swab the entire bitten surface of a partially eaten food item. Food items should be kept frozen for preservation and to prevent mold. Swab the entire area of a utensil that would be put in the mouth. This category does not include a swab of knife generally only handled with normal use.

Swab of possible saliva

This category includes all other items that may have come into contact with saliva and/or nasal secretions. Swab the area in contact with the mouth. If the item is not amenable to swabbing, such as a used Kleenex tissue, a 1 cm x 1 cm cut-out from staining may be submitted.

Swab of airbag

A swab of each deployed front airbag may be submitted. Use one swab per airbag. Swab as much of the front as possible to maximize the amount of DNA collected and to ensure the correct area of impact is sampled.

If there is any visible blood-like staining, swab the staining separately. This swab should also be coded ABS and is preferable to submit initially as blood is a rich source of DNA.

Notes:

  • DNA profiles from airbags generally cannot be used to ‘position’ occupants within a vehicle at the time of a crash (that is, to determine whether someone was either the driver or a passenger) as body fluids can travel throughout the vehicle during the collision.
  • Swabs of side curtain airbags will not be accepted unless there is visible blood-like staining.

Swab of tool

When you’re swabbing a tool, where applicable, swab defined handle grips. Otherwise, target the areas of expected contact. If you plan to fingerprint the item, you must sample for DNA first. Consider that textured areas and areas of most frequent contact are likely to contain the most DNA, and more DNA will likely be collected with a greater surface area swabbed.

Swab of weapon

When you’re swabbing a firearm, you should only swab the grip and slide. The HVS does not accept swabs of a magazine nor ammunition. You must swab the weapon for DNA prior to test firing.

Swab of other handled item

This category includes swabs of handled items other than tools and weapons. Swab the areas of most frequent contact using one swab (for example, swab the handle and outer cap of a gas can). Increasing the surface area you swabbed to maximize the amount of DNA collected will increase the likelihood of generating a DNA profile. For example, it is recommended to swab the entire surface of a lighter as opposed to just the wheel and button.

Swab of headwear

When swabbing headwear, where applicable, focus swabbing the inside surface of the nose and mouth area, but include as much area as possible that would make the most contact with skin.

Swab of glove

Swab the entire inside surface of one glove. The inside surface of a disposable glove can be determined by the roll of material inward at the cuff. Only submit a swab of one glove of a pair in the initial submission.

Swab of personal effect

This category includes items that are considered worn or used by a single person. Swab the area that would make the most contact with skin. For example, swab both ear buds on headphones, swab the knobs and entire inside surface of a watch, and swab the entire frame of glasses.

Swab of other worn item

This category includes swabs of worn items other than gloves, headwear and personal effects. Swab the area with most rubbing contact with the skin. Staining or fraying of material associated with wear may be useful indicators For example, for shoes, swab the inside tongue and heel. For shirts, swab the inside back neckline.

Other DNA swab

These requests will immediately trigger the involvement of a scientific advisor in the online acceptance process. Please provide rationale for requesting an item that falls outside of our standard list of items.

If this is an item that may contain semen (for example, swab of ejaculate in indecent act offence) please indicate whether identification of the body fluid is necessary, or if it is sufficient to generate a DNA profile only. These items must be submitted under "other swabs" for review, as different processing may be required.

Packaging

To properly package items before submission you should:

  • air-dry items
  • package only one item per container (failure to do so will generally result in the return of the items untested)
  • individually list and describe each item
  • package each item into either a paper bag, breathable plastic bag, swab boxes/tubes or envelopes (minimal packaging is preferable)
  • properly attach a numbered seal to each individual item

Reference (comparison) samples

Reference (comparison) samples are required to help compare DNA profiles generated in a case to help:

  • exclude individuals as the source of unknown DNA profiles
  • scientists in the interpretation of complex DNA profiles
  • ensure that DNA profiles attributable to complainants/deceased are not uploaded to the DNA databank

Submitting comparison samples

Samples from known individuals, collected with consent, by warrant or discarded, may be submitted at any point.

Reference samples should not be submitted if the evidence has already been tested and has failed to yield any DNA profile(s) suitable for comparison.

On the online submission form, please ensure you choose the “add reference sample from person” button and not the “add evidence” button.

Reference samples from complainants should be submitted if they have handled / contacted evidence samples to ensure DNA profiles attributable to complainants are not uploaded to the DNA databank.

Please list in the case synopsis any other cases and items to which a comparison is requested and authorized, if outside of the current case. If none are listed in the case synopsis, comparisons will be confined to results generated in the case for which the comparison sample is submitted (even if the submission includes cross referenced cases).

Reporting

The HVS issues a one-page letter with DNA results per item submitted. This is different than a full biology report that is issued in a Violent Crime Service case.

The HVS interprets DNA profiles from a single individual and simple mixtures of DNA. The HVS does not offer expedited testing.

You can find the estimated wait times for reports on the online submission portal.

If you are missing a copy of the letter, please contact your DNA coordinator.

Not included in the report

The HVS does not routinely interpret complex mixtures (complicated DNA profiles where the major contributor is more difficult to determine). You may request an exception by contacting the HVS Advisor if your case meets the exception criteria (linked in the automated HVS email response).

The HVS does not interpret minor contributions of DNA in a mixture.

Limitations of DNA

A DNA profile is not necessarily from:

  • the last person to handle or wear an item
  • the most frequent user or wearer of an item

An individual can handle or wear an item and not deposit sufficient DNA for detection.

It is possible for someone who has not had direct contact with an item to have their DNA deposited through an indirect means of transfer.

DNA depositions cannot be dated.

After testing

HVS does not return items after testing.

The following are routinely discarded after testing:

  • Remainders of cigarette butts, envelope flaps and swab sticks.
  • Any possible blood swabs that test negative for blood.
  • Control swabs submitted in the same packaging as a possible blood swab.
  • Reference samples (including any remaining DNA) submitted concurrently with HVS evidence samples that fail to generate a DNA profile suitable for comparison (in these instances, the results of the reference sample testing will be retained in the case record but not interpreted/reported).
  • Original packaging.
  • Extracted DNA is retained for 5 years from the date of its submission, after which it is destroyed.

Packaging and/or any remaining item may be retained when:

  • packaging is found to be compromised in a manner that affects the integrity of the sample
  • potential for contamination is noted