Dr Antonel Olckers
Chair
Antonel has a PhD in human genetics (molecular biology) and specialised in forensic DNA evidence during her career. She is registered at the HPCSA as a medical scientist in genetics. She has been practicing as a DNA expert witness in court cases in South Africa for the past 20+ years, and has testified in Magistrates-, Regional- and High Courts across South Africa.
She co founded DNAbiotec® in 2001 and has served as its CEO since then. She started her research career in academia and still publishes actively, including in the field of forensic science. She served on the panel of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) responsible for the study entitled: Human genetics and genomics in South Africa: Ethical, legal and social implications.
Amongst others her responsibility on this panel was to lead the relevant forensic sciences. Via DNAbiotec® she has trained many legal professionals, including public prosecutors and public defenders, on how to deal with DNA evidence in court. DNAbiotec® also train forensic scientists on the scientific aspects of DNA evidence and the reporting thereof.
She is a current member of the following relevant societies:
ASSAf, American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) and the South African Society of Human Genetics (SASHG).