Earlier this year, over 50 investigators from across Canada and one from the United States came to Warman for a forensic training course which saw the attendees practice digging up fake bodies.

The Saskatchewan RCMP hosts the course and Dr. Ernie Walker, a forensic expert based in Saskatoon, led the way.

Dr. Walker says they have a cold case here in Saskatoon that investigators are continuing to look into.  He says remains were found down a well in Sutherland at the corner of 108th Street and Central Avenue and is very definitely a homicide that occurred between 1914 and 1922.

A variety of tools and techniques are required when analyzing a homicide site. At this summer’s forensic training course, attendees learned about analyzing crime scenes which include human remains. Participants used metal detectors and sifted through dirt to find anything from articles of clothing to bullet fragments.

Close to ten fake crime scenes were set up and Dr. Walker says teeth can be a critical piece in identifying an individual.  The RCMP holds the course every two years. 2022 was the first year the course was held in Warman.