The real CSI

Although the OPP Forensic Identification Services facility has a bomb suit like the one Jeremy Renner sports in the Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker, and a blood spatter room similar to what Showtime’s Dexter works in, art doesn’t always imitate life when it comes to solving crimes.

"We hate that show CSI," said Thunder Bay Police Service Sgt. Michael Sweitzer, adding it’s not often the show is accurate when depicting how officers solve crimes using forensic science.

The Thunder Bay facility – shared by both the local police force and the Northwest Ontario Provincial Police bureau – opened Feb. 19, 2009 and more than a year later it is helping local law enforcement solve crimes in a safe environment.

OPP unit commander Normand Gilbert said the James Street forensic unit addresses all the health and safety concerns both forces had with their previous labs because the work is now done in a controlled environment with air quality control systems in place.

"This is the only shared facility I’m aware of in North America," said Gilbert. "It’s been great sharing the facility with the Thunder Bay Police. We have various members with different levels of experience and knowledge. It’s great to have other people around to bounce ideas and share their thoughts."

Another advantage to the partnership is the sharing of resources and equipment, which Gilbert said can be quite expensive.

And while it’s convenient to now have a forensic unit in Thunder Bay, it doesn’t change the timeframe of analyzing evidence.

"The process doesn’t change," said Gilbert. "I would describe ourselves as hunters and gatherers. We go out to the crime scene. We gather. We collect. We photograph. All that evidence is properly stored and packaged and brought to the facility where it’s further documented and examined."

"The DNA process is done in Sault Ste. Marie where you have your biologists and toxicologist who process the evidence," he added. "That’s the time consuming process of the investigation … there is still some delays and time constraints."

The success of the Forensic Identification unit isn’t going unnoticed.

Gilbert said there are still eight outstanding forensic buildings to be built across Ontario and they’re designing the new buildings after the Thunder Bay facililty.