Dr Antonel Olckers has practiced as an independent DNA expert in forensic science in South Africa since 1998 and has advised on forensic science cases from across Africa. She is a founding director and full member of the South African Academy of Forensic Sciences (SAAFS) in the field of Biology/DNA and served as Chair since its inception in 2018. She the current chair of the Forensic Science Specialist Technical Committee (FS-STC) of the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) mandated in South Africato e.g. accredit laboratories according toISO standards.
Dr Olckers provides training on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), ISO17025 and accreditation to it, ethics, integrity, and other topics related to forensic science practice via the “Essential Short Course Series” of DNAbiotec. She has worked to empower professionals to handle DNA evidence in court (scientists, public prosecutors, public defenders as well as private sector attorneys and advocates). DNAbiotec has had an MOU in place with Legal Aid South Africa for pro bono work, and she was honoured withthe Legal Aid Pro Bono award in 2016.
She is a member ofthe Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), amongst others. She continues to publish actively in international peer reviewed academic journals in various fields e.g.forensic science,bioethics, and genomic privacy. Dr Olckers is a strong advocate for empowering the next generation of scientists and science leaders in Africa and has received awards for capacity building andLifetime Achievement in biotechnology. She sees collaboration between the public sector, academia, and the private sector as essential to further science and research integrity goals in Africa and beyond.As evidenced from her publications in forensic science she believes in practicing with integrity for science to serve justice.
