Trent University Forensics

The purpose of the present research was to identify areas of high turtle road mortality, known as hotspots, in order to determine what steps can be taken to help reduce the number of endangered turtle species killed on Ontario roadways. The project was completed by collecting data on turtle locations and using ArcGIS mapping software, by Esri, to determine hotspot locations along a specific highway in Ontario. Once hotspots were determined, examination of literature was conducted to determine the best way to prevent road mortality. Finally, individuals from government and non-for-profit organizations focused on turtle road mortality were interviewed to help determine what is a realistic plan to combat turtle road mortality. In the area of focus, 4 hotspot locations were observed, and the most effective mitigation measures were determined to be a combination of a culvert and a drift fence. In terms of implementation, the jurisdiction over a roadway and whether mitigation measures will be put into place belongs to the proper road authority. However, when road construction impacts an endangered species, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry can enforce, under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, the road authority to implement mitigation measures. Throughout this project, areas for future research such as improving communication between groups involved in turtle road mortality, were also identified and noted.

The purpose of this study is to determine how well known the services of the Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) are to the people of the Peterborough community, along with organizations and professionals in the community who serve the aging/senior population. The CCRC is a non-profit organization that provides credit counselling services, among others, to the community. The Peterborough community has the largest senior population in Canada at 19.5%. Senior financial abuse is prevalent in society and is determined to be the 3rd most prevalent type of senior abuse. Non-profit organizations are competing in a growing commercial environment. Three stages of interviews were conducted with staff at the CCRC, other community non-profit credit counselling agencies, and community members who work directly with senior members of the community. These interviews examined the problems that the Peterborough community was facing, why these problems occurred, and what problems were occurring in other communities. Interviews determined there is little to no knowledge of the CCRC's credit counselling services in Peterborough. The CCRC has a lack of funds to complete accurate advertising in the community. These problems are not limited to Peterborough and also appeared in other communities. The findings demonstrate that there is a high need for more advertising in the community. To help combat these issues, the CCRC should hire volunteers for marketing, allocate more funds to advertising, prepare public education in the senior community, and establish community connections.

The Peterborough Police Service require better evaluation tools for their Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPSD) efforts. There are four research categories driving this project: general understanding of CPSD; tools and methods for evaluating CPSD; personnel conducting the evaluation with specific emphasis on police; and collaboration between police and other organizations. Research was conducted through literature review and administering a survey to police officials throughout Ontario. The literature review and the survey indicated that there is no existing easy measurement system for CPSD due to a dearth of specific evaluation tools. It was discovered that collaboration is important and that there are potential methodologies that could be applied to evaluating CPSD from a variety of disciplines, but nothing specifically created to measure CPSD was found. Where evaluations were taking place, the personnel conducting the evaluation varied but were primarily municipal officials or civilians/third-party organizations. Collaboration is a crucial component for any CPSD measure. Further research into evaluation tools, creating a CPSD working group for Ontario police services, merging 'hard' and 'soft' policing, conducting longitudinal studies, and creating standardized language are recommended.

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death and injury in children and youth in Canada. The Peterborough Risk Watch Network aims to reduce the rate and prevalence of injury for children and youth in the city and county of Peterborough, Ontario. The project aims to locate local injury data sources and create a rubric tool that will be used to evaluate the injury data sources for their potential applicability with injury prevention initiatives. The project involves an environmental scan, personal discussions, and the creation of a rubric assessment tool. The environmental scan involves looking for organizations that deal with children and youth in Peterborough and to see if they possess injury information. The number of injury data sources pertaining to Peterborough children and youth is limited. The rubric assessment tool developed is digital and user friendly. The data sources' usefulness is limited based on the type of information contained does not go into great detail. The future recommendations based on the project outcomes are to investigate a greater variety of organizations for injury data, ensure a greater breakdown of data once collected, and the creation of a centralized child and youth injury data system.