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Where do you begin an investigation when there’s no crime scene, no
body, and no clear path forward — only unanswered questions and
families waiting for truth? That was the kind of challenge
now-retired RCMP research scientist Dr. Della Wilkinson
devoted her career to solving.
Over the course of her career Wilkinson studied how fingerprints,
DNA, and other traces behave in real-world conditions —
not just in controlled labs, but when exposed to fire, chemicals,
biological contaminants, extreme temperatures, and difficult
surfaces. Her work helped recover evidence that might have otherwise
been lost. In December 2025, those contributions were
recognized with an appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada.
“Forensic science plays a critical role in modern policing,” says
Marie-Claude Dandenault, RCMP Deputy Commissioner of
National Specialized Services. “By methodically analyzing
crime-scene evidence, investigators can identify or exclude
connections between people, victims, and crime scenes, which helps
support justice for victims.”
Finding a starting point
The question of where to begin became painfully real amid the
long-running crisis of Indigenous women disappearing along
British Columbia’s Highway of Tears. Without reliable crime
scenes or physical evidence, investigators struggled to move
forward.
Wilkinson approached the challenge from a different angle: how do
investigators locate victims so the investigation can even
begin?
She learned of early work at the National Research Council
(NRC) of Canada, where scientists were using an emerging
technology called hyperspectral imaging to detect disturbed soil
and subtle changes in vegetation that could point to possible
burial sites. A joint RCMP-NRC pilot in 2013 showed what the technology could do,
but the equipment was still too large to be used in the field.
Wilkinson’s role was to connect the policing need with the
scientific avenue. She helped identify what would be required
for the technology to become practical, including
miniaturization and future drone-mounted use — advances that
have yet to be realized. For her, it was a clear example of
applied forensics: recognizing a real investigative problem and
helping guide science toward a future solution.
“You don’t always have the tool that you need,” Wilkinson said.
“But when you understand the policing problem and you see the
scientific potential, you can start bringing the two together.”
Science in the real world
Much of Wilkinson’s career showed how scientific ideas become
practical tools for police — often slowly, and with a lot of
behind-the-scenes work. One example is when Canada switched from
paper to polymer banknotes, a change that meant the fingerprint
techniques used for decades suddenly didn’t work anymore.
Wilkinson, right, with inspector Al Misner, signs on as a Civilian Member of the RCMP early in her career
Image by Dr. Della Wilkinson
Wilkinson was part of a small international group of fingerprint
experts who shared ideas and helped each other solve problems.
If a technique stopped working or a new material behaved
unpredictably, someone in the group had usually seen it before.
That collaboration mattered: the method used on Canada’s polymer
banknotes was developed in the United Kingdom, but Wilkinson
brought it into practise in Canada. She secured pre-circulation
notes, confirmed the technique worked on Canadian currency, and
ensured RCMP labs across the country had the
equipment and training to use it.
Her work went beyond developing new tools. Wilkinson also
supported some of the country’s most complex investigations,
including the Robert Pickton serial murder case. While forensic
identification specialists carried out years of work at the
crime scene, she helped them determine how to recover and
interpret difficult evidence, including material that had been
frozen or stored in challenging conditions.
An “aha” moment
A turning point came when Wilkinson learned more about the
RCMP’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
and Explosive (CBRNE) response teams. These teams
were expected to collect evidence in hazardous environments
using techniques designed for standard crime scenes.
With a background in chemistry, she questioned whether hazardous
substances could change how fingerprints, DNA or
other traces behave, and whether they could be recovered at all
“Why would we think that all the chemicals we use in a normal
crime scene would work when there’s a contaminant present?” she
said. “Chemistry is kind of fussy that way.”
This led to a major line of research on how evidence reacts to
chemical and biological agents. After the 2001 anthrax
letters, the work became even more urgent and expanded into
real-world, high-risk conditions. The results were significant.
While many common techniques failed, some still worked —
allowing officers to rely on tested methods rather than
guesswork.
“Who wants to spend time using a technique that’s not going to
work?” Wilkinson said. “At least you know what has the potential
to be successful.”
Strengthening standards
Later in her career, Wilkinson played a key role in strengthening
how fingerprint evidence is understood and presented in court.
She contributed to national and international standards and
worked to make complex science accessible without
oversimplifying it.
In 2010, she cofounded the Canadian Friction Ridge Working
Group with two RCMP officers. The group brings
together experts from across the country to develop standards
that support the justice system.
Her expertise was later called upon during the re-trial of R. v.
Bornyk in 2017, the first major Canadian court challenge to
fingerprint evidence. The court ruled that fingerprint evidence
was valid.
“Her research and testimony helped explain the science behind
fingerprint identification and why it remains a reliable
investigative tool,” says Assistant Commissioner Don Halina,
head of the RCMP’s Forensic Science and
Identification Services (FSIS).
Legacy and partnerships
Much of Wilkinson’s influence came from how she worked. She
collaborated with identification specialists, academic
researchers, and international partners, often acting as the
bridge between cutting-edge science and operational policing.
“Dr. Wilkinson believed deeply in collaboration,” says Halina.
“Together with her long-time research colleague Dr. Brian
Yamashita, she helped build strong partnerships between academic
institutions and policing agencies. Their work ensured that
research did not stay on the shelf and translated into practical
tools investigators could actually use.”
Her mentorship also shaped the next generation of forensic
scientists. Many current practitioners first connected with
Wilkinson as undergraduate or graduate students completing
research placements tied to real investigative challenges.
After retiring, she carried that perspective into the classroom,
reminding students of the responsibility that comes with the
work and who it ultimately serves: victims and their families.
“Despite her impressive career, Della remains incredibly humble,”
says Dr. Rolanda Lam, who worked closely with Wilkinson and
succeeded her in 2020. “She wasn’t in this work for the
spotlight — it was about helping others and supporting victims.
She left big shoes to fill, and her influence continues to guide
how we support frontline policing today.”
Looking ahead
When asked what advice she offers to future scientists, Wilkinson
keeps it simple: listen to the problems people are facing in the
field, read widely, build networks, and stay curious.
“Success is never individual,” she said. “It depends on
partnerships across disciplines, across Canada, and beyond.”
Colleagues describe her as someone driven by curiosity, humility
and respect, who never stopped asking questions — not out of
doubt, but out of a desire to understand how science could
better serve investigators and victims.
Her appointment to the Order of Canada reflects more than a
distinguished career. It recognizes a lifelong commitment to
advancing her field in ways that help give victims a voice —
always with the people at the heart of every case.
