Hélène LeBlanc
PhD
Undergraduate Program Director
Associate Professor
Forensic ScienceFaculty of Science
Renowned scientist and consultant creating a legacy in the niche field of forensic entomology
Languages
English, French
helene.leblanc@ontariotechu.ca
905.721.8668 ext. 3688
Areas of expertise
- PhD - Philosophy University of Derby, UK 2008
- Certificates - Forensics Forensic Access, UK 2005
- Certificate - Forensic Entomology University of Cologne, Germany 2002
- MSc - Forensic Science University of Strathclyde, UK 2001
- BSc (Honours) - Biology Saint Mary's University, USA 1998
- Certificate - Forensic Anthropology Mercyhurst College, USA 1997
The Role of Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Role in Forensic Entomology
Toronto, Ontario October 17, 2013University of Toronto
The Analysis of Volatiles Released from Decomposing Carcasses and Their Effect on Blowflies
Ecole National de Police du Quebec, Nicolet, Quebec September 12, 2013International Conference on Criminalistics
Workshop: Field Methods in Forensic Entomology
Ecole National de Police du Quebec, Nicolet, Quebec September 10, 2013International Conference on Criminalistics
New Decomposition Stages to Describe Carcass Decomposing in the Partial or Complete Absence of Insects
Dayton, Ohio July 16, 2013Annual Meeting of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA)
Olfactory Stimuli Associated with Decomposing Vertebrates and Their Role in the Attraction of Blowflies
Knoxville, Tennessee November 13, 2012Entomological Society of America 60th Annual Meeting
Analysis of Decomposition Fluid Collected From Carcasses Decomposing in the Presence and Absence of Insects
The Hague, Netherlands August 23, 2012European Association of Forensic Sciences
Study of Insect Colonisation Delay in a Closed Vehicle Environment
College Station, Texas July 21, 2011Annual Meeting of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA)
Decomposition Study and Arthropod Succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
College Station, Texas July 21, 2011Annual Meeting of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA)
Decomposition in a Closed Vehicle Environment in Southern Ontario
Chicago, Illinois February 25, 2011American Academy of Forensic Sciences
GC × GC–TOFMS and Supervised Multivariate Approaches to Study Human Cadaveric Decomposition Olfactive Signatures
Published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Volume 407, Issue 16, pp 4767–4778 June 1, 2015Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto, Katelynn A. Perrault, Sonja Stadler, Romain Pesesse, Helene N. LeBlanc, Shari L. Forbes & Jean-François Focant
In forensic thanato-chemistry, the understanding of the process of soft tissue decomposition is still limited. A better understanding of the decomposition process and the characterization of the associated volatile organic compounds (VOC) can help to improve the training of victim recovery (VR) canines, which are used to search for trapped victims in natural disasters or to locate corpses during criminal investigations.
New Decomposition Stages to Describe Scenarios Involving the Partial and Complete Exclusion of Insects
Published in Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume 48, 2015 - Issue 1 July 10, 2014Jenna L. Comstock, Jean-Paul Desaulniers, Helene N. LeBlanc & Shari L. Forbes
Few studies have intentionally examined the decomposition process when insects are excluded and only one known study has been published that has characterized decomposition occurring under this condition. This study proposes new stages of decomposition to describe scenarios involving the partial and complete exclusion of insects.
Réalisation des Prélèvements à la Scène
Published in De Boeck March 1, 2014Helene N. LeBlanc
Insectes, Cadavre & Scène de Crime – Principes et Applications de L’entomologie Médico-Légale, Chapter 7, pp 91-104,
Decomposition and Arthropod Succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Published in Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume 58, Issue 2 December 27, 2012Katherine Bygarski B.Sc. & Helene N. LeBlanc Ph.D.
Forensic arthropod succession patterns are known to vary between regions. However, the northern habitats of the globe have been largely left unstudied. Three pig carcasses were studied outdoors in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Adult and immature insects were collected for identification and comparison.
View more - Decomposition and Arthropod Succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Exploiting Insect Olfaction in Forensic Entomology
Published in Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology pp 205-221 December 7, 2009Hélène N. LeBlanc & James G. Logan
Insects, specifically blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), are often the first to arrive at the scene of a crime and provide crucial information including post mortem interval and whether the body has been moved from its original location, amongst other useful information.
View more - Exploiting Insect Olfaction in Forensic Entomology
Effects of Individual Length and Temperature on the Moving Speed of Protophormia Terraenovae Larvae
Published in Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 54, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 529-533 March 1, 2008Damien Charabidze,Benoit Bourel, Hélène Leblanc, Valery Hedouin & Didier Gosset
This work investigates variation in the crawling speed of Protophormia terraenovae larvae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera Calliphoridae) as a function of body length and ambient temperature. A video-tracking system was used to follow the movement of larvae in an experimental arena, and to estimate their average crawling speed.
Ontario Tech University Team Award
Ontario Tech University December 13, 2015Together with her Ontario Tech University Forensic Science Team colleagues, Dr. Leblanc, received the 2015 Ontario Tech University Team Award for her contribution to advancing teaching and research in her field.
Adjunct Professor
Trent University January 24, 2012Appointed faculty in the Environmental and Life Sciences (ENLS) Graduate program.
Instructor
Ontario Police College (OPC) January 1, 2012Dr. LeBlanc teaches in the following courses at OPC, Death Investigation, Homicide Investigation, and Recovery of Human Remains. Additionally, her expertise is sought on multiple forensic investigations each year.
Forensic Entomology Consultant
Dr. LeBlanc is a consultant on casework, analyzing entomological evidence and providing a report of her findings to the court. She also provides ongoing training in Forensic Entomology Crime Scene Protocols to law enforcement agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
Olfactory Perception of Insects in Pest Management and Forensic Entomology
NSERC Discovery Grant April 1, 20154/1/2010-4/1/2015. This research explores volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in two major projects. The first looks at VOCs released during decomposition and analyzes the active compounds that attract insects to the body, to determine a more accurate post-mortem interval. The second project uses these techniques to develop an integrated pest management strategy to ensure food safety from local dairy farms. Dr. LeBlanc uses collected VOCs from local dairy cows to conduct tests on biting flies, subsequently isolating attractants to develop a method for reducing the fly population around cows so fewer pesticides are used.
Development and Validation of Standard Operating Procedures for Measuring Microbial Populations for Estimating a Postmortem Interval
National Institute of Justice August 1, 2010CI. LeBlanc, H. In partnership with Texas A&M University, University of Dayton Ohio, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this research comprised three trials studying a decomposition comparison of humans and pigs using VOCs to determine a more accurate post-mortem interval. The research was conducted at the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS). Dr. LeBlanc continues to analyze the findings in her lab and publish results to enhance crime scene investigations.
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Canadian Society of Forensic Science
Canadian Identification Society
Entomological Society of America
European Association of Forensic Entomology
North American Forensic Entomology Association
Ontario Police College
Trent University
- Essentials of Crime Scene Science (FSCI 2020U)
This course is a survey study of the processes that occur at a crime scene, directed toward non-forensic science students. Students will be taught crime scene procedures, from record keeping at the scene through to the preservation and collection of evidence. This will include techniques for the recovery of fingerprints, footwear impressions, tool marks and the collection and correct packaging of items such as hairs, fibres, glass and biological fluids. This course emphasizes self-directed learning and is offered in hybrid format, involving both in-class and online lectures. Tutorials will be offered online. - Criminalistics I (FSCI 3010U)
This course provides an introduction to miscarriages of justice, as well as Scientific Working Groups that guide the principles of laboratory-based searching and recovery of evidence at crime scenes. Students will learn the techniques and standards involved in the analysis of evidence as it relates to hit and runs, shootings, sexual assaults and other violent offences. Tablet technology and forensic-specific software will assist students in the paperless workflow of information. Laboratory analyses will continue to build upon forensic microscopy techniques using comparison, polarized light and compound microscopes. The specific application of forensic photography in documenting each major crime will also be examined. The objective is to identify all the pertinent forensic data to support an investigation, carry out the relevant analysis, and produce a report and presentation appropriate for expert witness testimony in courts of law. The course stresses the multidisciplinary nature of forensic science by integrating legal, practical, and scientific aspects of major scene investigations. - Forensic Biology (FSCI 3120U)
This course provides a comprehensive study of the molecular techniques, statistical concepts, and various casework applications involved in the field of forensic biology. Lecture and laboratory topics concentrate primarily on the protocols used for autosomal and Y chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis of human biological samples, but lectures also delve into the newer, special use and future technologies of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), mitochondrial DNA analysis, as well as nonhuman DNA testing. In addition to discussions of technology, a significant portion of the course deals with interpretation of casework STR profiles, as well as issues surrounding quality assurance in laboratories. - Criminalistics I (FSCI 3010U)
This course provides an introduction to miscarriages of justice, as well as Scientific Working Groups that guide the principles of laboratory-based searching and recovery of evidence at crime scenes. Students will learn the techniques and standards involved in the analysis of evidence as it relates to hit and runs, shootings, sexual assaults and other violent offences. Tablet technology and forensic-specific software will assist students in the paperless workflow of information. Laboratory analyses will continue to build upon forensic microscopy techniques using comparison, polarized light and compound microscopes. The specific application of forensic photography in documenting each major crime will also be examined. The objective is to identify all the pertinent forensic data to support an investigation, carry out the relevant analysis, and produce a report and presentation appropriate for expert witness testimony in courts of law. The course stresses the multidisciplinary nature of forensic science by integrating legal, practical, and scientific aspects of major scene investigations.
