BCIT Forensic DNA Lab
The BCIT Forensic DNA Laboratory, founded in 1999 by Dr. Dean Hildebrand, is an important part of the Institute’s Forensic Science and Technology Department, home to the most comprehensive forensic investigative programs in the country.
Our scientists are not only recognized forensic DNA experts, but also dedicated educators who enhance experiential learning activities with examples from their extensive casework experience.
The laboratory, accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, has handled a significant range of challenging forensic casework, including unidentified human remains cases with highly degraded samples. Using instrumentation and techniques at the forefront of forensic science, the laboratory contributes to vital humanitarian and criminal work that is integral to the social prosperity of our communities.
Our team is proud of the DNA-based humanitarian and investigative work conducted on behalf of our local, national, and international clients, as well as our role in educating the next generation of forensic scientists.
The BCIT Forensic DNA lab is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and follows the SCC Requirements and Guidance for the Accreditation for Forensic Testing Laboratories accreditation standards. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard is designed for general laboratory accreditation and is the standard to which most labs are considered technically competent. SCC Requirements and Guidance for the Accreditation for Forensic Testing Laboratories is a guideline for forensic testing laboratories. These requirements are tailored to the analysis, comparison, and interpretation of human DNA samples for the purposes of identification.
Our scope of accreditation can be found here.
The Team
Steen Hartsen
Steen Hartsen is a faculty member in the Forensic Science & Technology department at BCIT, where he teaches the Forensic Biology: DNA Typing Applications course, and has been handling the day-to-day operations of the BCIT Forensic DNA Lab since 2012. He is the primary reporting scientist in the DNA lab having written well over a thousand DNA reports and has been qualified as an expert in the field of DNA analysis in both the provincial and supreme court of BC.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Technology in Forensics from BCIT, and a Masters of Business Administration from Royal Roads University. He has been responsible for developing and facilitating DNA-based student research projects at BCIT, including the recovery of DNA from challenging samples and evaluating novel technologies for biological fluid screening and DNA profiling. He was involved in developing the quality assurance documentation and processes as part of the BCIT Forensic DNA Lab’s accreditation process. He also works as a private consultant for lawyers needing expert assistance with forensic DNA evidence.
Dean Hildebrand
Dr. Hildebrand received his BSc and PhD from the University of British Columbia’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His knowledge of molecular biology led him to pursue a career in forensic science. Dr. Hildebrand is currently the Dean of BCIT’s School of Computing and Academic Studies as well as the Manager of the school’s Forensic DNA Laboratory. Dean is a recognized expert in the field of forensic DNA analysis. His background includes work in the recovery and analysis of DNA from degraded remains using STRs, mini-STRs, Y-STRs and mitochondrial DNA for the purposes of human identification. The laboratory he helped establish at BCIT is called upon by local and international Coroner and Police agencies to assist in challenging casework where human identification is required. He also works as a consultant for the B.C. Coroners Service (Special Investigation Unit) as a subject matter expert in forensic DNA analysis. In this capacity, he helped develop and now maintains the unidentified remains and missing person DNA database for the province of BC. Dean also works as a private consultant for lawyers needing expert assistance with forensic DNA evidence.
Jason Moore
Jason Moore has been extensively involved in forensic DNA testing, research, and curriculum development at the BCIT Forensic Science and Technology department since 2006. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in 2005 at UBC, he came to BCIT and completed an Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensic Science in 2007. In 2006 he began to working with Dr. Hildebrand in the BCIT Forensic DNA laboratory. Jason’s duties include biological screening, forensic DNA testing, report writing, and technical review of case files. Currently he is also responsible for quality assurance activities in the laboratory which has recently achieved accreditation under the Standards Council of Canada. Jason completed a Master’s degree from SFU in the field of ancient DNA in 2011 and has been qualified and testified as forensic DNA expert witness. He is also one of the Instructors in the Forensic Biology: DNA Typing Theory and Application courses at BCIT.
Georgina Lush
Georgina Lush is a skilled Forensic DNA Analyst with extensive experience in genetics, molecular biology, and wildlife forensics. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Simon Fraser University, where she developed a strong foundation in biological sciences and honed her passion for DNA analysis. Later, she furthered her expertise by earning an Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensic Science with Distinction from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and more recently completed the Genealogical Research Certificate Program with Boston University in 2021. This comprehensive program equipped her with advanced techniques and methodologies in forensic DNA analysis, solidifying her position as a proficient analyst in the field.
With expertise in forensic biological screening, DNA extraction, quantification, and analysis, she excels in utilizing advanced techniques like STR, Y-STR, and SNP DNA analysis. Her deep understanding of capillary electrophoresis and massive parallel sequencing enables her to recover and analyze DNA from degraded remains for accurate human identification. Georgina’s proficiency extends to testifying in court as an expert witness as well as instructing and assisting in Forensic Biology courses offered at BCIT.
Renee Leduc
Renee Leduc obtained her BSc (2009) and PhD (2015) in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Alberta. She then augmented her education with Forensic Science courses from BCIT, focusing on DNA applications and analyses in Forensic Science. Throughout her graduate research, she has acquired the technical skills necessary to process DNA samples through extraction, quantification, and analysis, which included Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing analyses. She also had the opportunity to develop and manage several genetic research projects. Renee is now working as a Forensic DNA Analyst in the BCIT Forensic DNA Laboratory, where she can apply her many years of experience working in genetics and molecular biology and her recent training in the BCIT laboratory towards forensic biological screening, DNA extraction, quantification, and analysis, along with case review and maintenance of quality assurance within the laboratory.
Brooke Ouwerkerk
Brooke Ouwerkerk is a Forensic DNA Analyst at the BCIT Forensic DNA Lab. She originally joined the team in 2020 to assist in the validation of the Next Generation Sequencing platform. She was then brought on as Support Staff, where she dealt with evidence handling and customer relations. Prior to working at the BCIT Forensic DNA Lab, she worked in the field of wildlife forensics, along with a brief time in embryology.
Brooke has always been passionate about science. First attending UBC for her undergraduate studies, she then continued her education at BCIT. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Science with Distinction. She has accumulated many years of education and experience in molecular biology and DNA analysis techniques through her various roles, and looks forward to seeing how the field evolves in the future.