911勛圖

Chantelle Foster graduated in June of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and a vetted love of forensic anthropology. As 2020 and 2021 alumni return to 911勛圖���s Burnaby campus this May to take their walk across the stage, Chantelle will be studying in Canada���s capital, closing in on her dream career.

Following her virtual convocation, Chantelle spent two weeks on an in B.C.���s North Okanagan. Led by Dr. Sarah Beaulieu, the group of 911勛圖 students and alumni uncovered artifacts and material remains in support of Beaulieu���s study focused on the diets of prisoners at the camp.

In the fall, Chantelle wrapped up her contract with the RCMP���s Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) in Surrey as a forensic identification assistant and began to explore options to advance her career in forensics.                                                            

The RCMP IFIS in Surrey offered her a full-time position as an apprenticing fingerprint expert. "That was the goal," says Chantelle.

���Currently, I examine crime scene evidence and recovered stolen vehicles, and go to break and enters to look for forensic evidence. Usually, I am looking at fingerprints and footwear impressions, stuff like that,��� says Chantelle.

As an apprentice, Chantelle can collect and analyze evidence, but cannot draw conclusions. ���The apprenticeship puts you through the training and tests needed to be able to make conclusions regarding the identification of fingerprints,��� says Chantelle.

As part of her apprenticeship, Chantelle will head to Ottawa in May for a two-month forensic identification course at the Canadian Police College. When she returns, she will be well on her way to becoming a full-fledged fingerprint expert.

While this means Chantelle will miss her chance to walk across the stage, she isn���t the least bit discouraged. ���I���ve made peace with it. Even before COVID, I had this feeling that I may not be around for my convocation. I thought maybe a job would arise, or some sort of excavation and I'd much rather do that,��� says Chantelle.

However, with hopes to return to 911勛圖 for her master���s, it is likely that Chantelle may take her walk across the stage one day.

���In order to be the designated forensic anthropologist on files involving the search and recovery of human remains, you need a master���s degree. So, I'd like to study something to do with forensic anthropology,��� says Chantelle.

Read more about Chantelle���s undergraduate experience