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A picture of Dr. Helene LeBlanc.

Hélène LeBlanc
PhD, MSc, D-ABFE

Associate Professor

Forensic Science
Faculty of Science

Renowned scientist and consultant creating a legacy in the niche field of forensic entomology

Languages
English, French

Contact expert

Hélène is available for:
  • Graduate student research supervision
  • Media inquiries
  • Partnerships

helene.leblanc@ontariotechu.ca
905.721.8668 ext. 3688

leblancentomologylab.weebly.com/

Social media

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Areas of expertise


  • PhD - Forensic entomology and chemical ecology University of Derby, Rothamsted Research, UK 2008
  • Certificate - 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, Canada 1998
  • Certificate - Forensic Anthropology Mercyhurst College, USA 1997

Invited Speaker: Forensic Entomology: Applications and Limitations. Multidisciplinary Death Investigation Rounds

Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OCC-OFPS). April 23, 2024

Guest Speaker: The Application of Chemical Ecology Techniques to Forensic Entomology

University of Manitoba February 15, 2024

Techniques in Forensic Entomology

University of Toronto Mississauga. Mississauga, Ontario November 1, 2023

Research in Forensic Entomology

University of Toronto Mississauga. Mississauga, Ontario August 1, 2023

Science Graduate Program

February 17, 2022

Guest Speaker: Les Diverses Applications de L'entomologie Médico-légale

Société d'entomologie du Québec (SEQ) November 26, 2021

Evidence, Law, and Forensic Science in Canada

(Virtual) University of Toronto, Mississauga. November 21, 2021

The Role of Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Role in Forensic Entomology

Toronto, Ontario October 17, 2013

University 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, 2013

International Conference on Criminalistics

Workshop: Field Methods in Forensic Entomology

Ecole National de Police du Quebec, Nicolet, Quebec September 10, 2013

International Conference on Criminalistics

New Decomposition Stages to Describe Carcass Decomposing in the Partial or Complete Absence of Insects

Dayton, Ohio July 16, 2013

Annual 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, 2012

Entomological 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, 2012

European Association of Forensic Sciences

Study of Insect Colonisation Delay in a Closed Vehicle Environment

College Station, Texas July 21, 2011

Annual Meeting of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA)

Decomposition Study and Arthropod Succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

College Station, Texas July 21, 2011

Annual Meeting of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA)

Decomposition in a Closed Vehicle Environment in Southern Ontario

Chicago, Illinois February 25, 2011

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

  • Skopyk, A.D., Forbes, S.L. & LeBlanc H.N. (2021) Recognizing the inherent variability in dipteran colonization and decomposition rates of human donor in Sydney, Australia. Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences. 6(1) 102-119
  • LeBlanc, H.N. & Gultepe, I. (2021) Introduction to Forensic Meteorology Special Section Pure and Applied Geophysics. 178(3) 691-692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-021-02697-z
  • Wallace, J.M., Scala, J.R., Gultepes, I & LeBlanc, H.N. (2021) Bridging Disciplines: The Application of Forensic Science to Meteorological Evidence. Pure and Applied Geophysics. 178(3) 693-704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-020-02646-2
  • Calla, L, Bohun, C.S. & LeBlanc, H.N. (2021) Advancing the forensic estimation of time since death. Pure and Applied Geophysics. 178(3) 705-715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-020-02649-z
  • LeBlanc, H.N., Perrault, K.A., Ly, J. (2020) Role of decomposition volatile organic compounds in chemical ecology. Chapter 24 (pp 485-498), in Jason H. Byrd & Jeffery K. Tomberlin (eds.) Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations, Third Edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press
  • Foreword: Illes M, Wilson P. 2020 The Scientific Method in Forensic Science: A Canadian Handbook. 1st Edition, Canadian Scholars, Toronto, Ontario Canada
  • Bourne, D.R., Kyle, K.J., LeBlanc, H.N. & Beresford, D. (2019) Technical Note: A rapid, non-invasive method for measuring live or preserved insect specimens using digital image analysis. Forensic Science International: Synergy. 1(1) 140-145 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.07.006
  • Comstock, J.L., LeBlanc, H.N. & Forbes, S.L. (2016) Analysis of decomposition fluid collected from carcasses decomposing in the presence and absence of insects, Chapter 18 pp 275-296, in H Kars & L. van den Eijkel (eds.) Soil in Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer
  • Stefanuto, P.-H., Perrault, K.A., Saddler, S., Pesesse, R., LeBlanc, H.N., Forbes, S.L. & Focant, J.-F. (2015) GC x GC TOFMS and supervised multivariate approaches to study human cadaveric decomposition olfactive signatures. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 407(16): 4767-4778. doi:10.1007/s00216-015-8683-5
  • Wallace, J.R., Byrd, J.H., LeBlanc, H.N., & Cervenka, V. (2015) Global perspectives and challenges in North America. Chapter 18 pp pp 187-204, in J.K. Tomberlin & M.E. Benbow (eds.) International Dimensions and Frontiers in Forensic Entomology. Taylor & Francis
  • Comstock, J.L., Desaulniers, J.P., LeBlanc, H.N. & Forbes, S.L. (2015) New decomposition stages to describe scenarios involving the partial and complete exclusion of insects. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 48(1): 1-19 doi: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00085030.2014.929850
  • LeBlanc, H.N. (2014) Réalisation des prélèvements à la scène, Chapter 7 pp 91-104, in D. Charabidzé & M. Gosselin (eds.) Insectes, cadavre & scène de crime - Principes et applications de l’entomologie médico-légale. De Boeck
  • Bygarski K. & LeBlanc H.N. (2013) Decomposition and arthropod succession in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 58(2): 413-418. doi: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.12032
  • LeBlanc, H.N. & Logan, J.G. (2010) Exploiting insect olfaction in forensic entomology, Chapter 11 pp 205-221, in J. Amendt, M. C.P. Campobasso, L. Goff & M. Grassberger (eds.) Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology. Springer. doi: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6_11
  • Charabidze D., Bourel B., Hedouin V., Gosset D., LeBlanc H.N. (2008) Effects of body length and temperature on the crawling speed of Protophormia terraenovae larvae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera Calliphoridae). Journal of Insect Physiology. 54(3): 529-533. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.11.010
  • Pont, A.C..; Lole, M.; LeBlanc, H.N.; Cole, J.H. (2007) The American black dump fly, Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Muscidae), in Britain and Ireland. Dipterists Digest. 14(1): 23-29 doi: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=1956
  • Amendt, J.; Campobasso, C.; Gaudry, E.; Reiter, C.; LeBlanc, H.N. & Hall, M. (2007). Best practice in forensic entomology – standards and guidelines. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 121: 90-104 doi: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00414-006-0086-x
  • LeBlanc, H.N. & Strongman, D.B. (2002). Carrion Insects Associated with Small Pig Carcasses During Fall in Nova Scotia. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. 35(3): 145-152 doi: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00085030.2002.10757542

Diplomate with the American Academy of Forensic Entomology

The American Board of Forensic Entomology January 1, 2024

https://forensicentomologist.org/

Ontario Tech University Team Award

Ontario Tech University December 13, 2015

Together 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, 2012

Appointed faculty in the Environmental and Life Sciences (ENLS) Graduate program.

Instructor

Ontario Police College (OPC) January 1, 2012

Dr. 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, 2015

4/1/2010-4/1/2015. 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, 2010

CI. 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

Entomological Society of Canada

European Association of Forensic Entomology

North American Forensic Entomology Association

Ontario Police College

  • 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.
  • Criminalistics II (FSCI 3020U)
  • 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.
  • Thesis I & Thesis II (FSCI 4410/4420U)
  • Applied Bioscience Graduate Seminar Series (APBGS 6000G)