Evidence of meeting #17 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director, Centre of Forensic Sciences
The Province of Ontario pays for it. We just take it on as a case.
We try to treat the defence counsel the same as we treat the police and the crown attorneys.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
I have one science question. Which body samples provide the best DNA? Is it the hair or the saliva? Do you have a preference? Is one body substance more reliable than another?
Deputy Director, Centre of Forensic Sciences
In terms of a pristine comparison sample taken specifically from an individual for purposes of comparing it to a crime scene sample, the preferred sample is a blood sample. It strikes the appropriate balance between ease of sampling and ability to obtain a sufficient amount of DNA that can then be easily tested. So a blood sample is the best.
When you talk about a crime scene sample, it's a very difficult question to answer. It depends on the amount of sample available, the conditions in which it's been stored, etc. As Ray has pointed out, we receive everything at the laboratory, including the kitchen sink.
So for a sample from an individual, a blood sample is the best sample for our purposes. For crime scene samples, the more body fluid present, the better, but again, it depends on how it's been stored.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Am I wrong in my recollection that when offenders are obliged to provide a sample to the data bank that it's typically hair or saliva?
Deputy Director, Centre of Forensic Sciences
It's blood.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
If there are no more questions, we'll suspend for a brief time and allow our witnesses to vacate the table.
We want to thank you very much. We're going to go into an in camera session. Your testimony has been very helpful and we appreciate it. Thank you very much.
We'll suspend for a brief moment.
[Proceedings continue in camera]