Forensic Guardians International

Advisors and Team

Forensic Specialist- Megan

Megan Bassendale

Megan Bassendale is a global forensic advisor and expert in forensic human identification and emergency management, known for advancing humanitarian forensic practices and enhancing strategies for handling mass fatality events. She champions dignity for the deceased and supports governments and institutions in addressing the needs of the deceased and their families, particularly in managing the fate of missing persons and disaster preparedness.

As the Founder and Director of Forensic Guardians International (FGI), Megan has developed a comprehensive suite of fatality management services, products, and digital solutions, building an international network of advisors and experts in forensic identification. Her leadership has seen the creation of globally applicable products and a secure biological profiling service for identification purposes.

Before founding FGI, Megan served as the Forensic Coordinator for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Lebanon and Georgia, contributing significantly to the recovery and identification of human remains. She has extensive experience in archaeological recoveries and anthropological examinations, having worked on projects in Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has improved forensic facilities and protocols worldwide.

Megan holds Master’s degrees in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, and Disaster and Emergency Management, a Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences and Law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology. She volunteers for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and is an active member of various professional organizations, demonstrating her commitment to both scientific excellence and community service.

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Dr. Dean Hildebrand

Dr. Hildebrand earned his BSc and PhD from the University of British Columbia in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, leading him to a career in forensic science. He is the Dean of the Physics, Chemistry, and Forensics departments at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), where he also serves as the Technical Leader of its accredited forensic DNA Laboratory. Recognized as an expert in forensic DNA analysis in court, his work specializes in DNA recovery and analysis from degraded remains for human identification, utilizing techniques such as STRs, mini-STRs, Y-STRs, and mitochondrial DNA.

The BCIT laboratory, established with his assistance, supports local and international Coroner and Police agencies in complex identification cases. Additionally, Dr. Hildebrand is a consultant for the B.C. Coroners Service’s Special Identification Unit, where he has played a pivotal role in developing and maintaining the unidentified remains and missing person DNA database for British Columbia.

Shelley Ball

Shelley serves as Legal Counsel for the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, handling complex regulatory issues, and works as an independent consultant in crisis management, investigations, and audits. Internationally recognized for her expertise in investigations, she offers training on trauma-informed approaches and workplace practices. Previously, as Director of Investigations at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Shelley managed the office responsible for investigating sexual misconduct and human rights violations among over 80,000 faculty, students, and staff. She played a key role in developing educational and reporting initiatives and established UBC’s first support position for sexual violence allegations.

With 15 years of experience in conducting trauma-informed, impartial investigations in areas including sexual misconduct, human rights, and compliance under the Securities Act, Shelley has influenced policy and legislative changes. Her roles have spanned the British Columbia Coroners Service, BC’s Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, the BC Securities Commission, and UBC. She has also contributed as a legal researcher at the University of Manitoba and in pro bono work for military veterans.

Shelley mentors for the Canadian Bar Association, is certified as a restorative justice facilitator, and holds degrees in Criminology (Simon Fraser University) and Law (University of Manitoba), with additional certification in Human Rights Law (Osgoode Hall). She is a member of the Law Society of BC, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice.

Dr. Sageren Aiyer

Dr. Aiyer is a seasoned forensic pathologist with over 25 years of experience in both academic and practical aspects of forensic pathology. He has played significant roles in investigations related to high-profile assassinations, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, mass fatality incidents, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and cases involving detainee deaths in police and military custody. As an educator, Dr. Aiyer has contributed to the training of medical students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, along with providing education to members of the legal and law enforcement communities. He led the College of Forensic Pathologists of South Africa as its president from 2011 to 2017. Dr. Aiyer has a particular focus on the study of firearm and missile injuries and the identification of human remains.

Dr. William Inkster

Dr. Inkster boasts 32 years in dentistry and has fulfilled all roles of a Forensic Odontologist in British Columbia, including being qualified as an Expert Witness in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. In his second career within the British Columbia Coroners Service’s Identification and Disaster Response Unit (IDRU), he served as an Identification Analyst, taking on the roles of Identification Specialist, coroner, and IDRU manager. His duties spanned complex death scene deployments across a region as large as France and Spain, providing identification support to Coroners, and aiding in the development of databases for repatriating historical unidentified human remains.

Dr. Inkster has expertise in all human identification methods. He led the Dental Team during a mock disaster at Victoria International Airport in 2005, organized by the BCCS. Notably, he was the third Canadian Forensic Odontologist assigned to the forensic tsunami response team in Thailand in 2005, where Interpol appointed him ‘Deputy Controller of AM and PM Dental Data Input,’ managing around thirty forensic odontologists globally.

He has given numerous presentations on forensic topics, including the coroner’s mandate, human identification, and the challenges and solutions for meeting high identification thresholds, to experts, coroners, medical examiners, and police.

Claudia Dagnino

MA, RCC, RRT, RYT200

Claudia is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, specializing in the mental health of First Responders since 2003. Her journey began with an Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensic Science from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), leading her to focus on the impact of trauma on First Responders and their families. Claudia’s commitment to addressing this issue drove her to acquire specialized training, making her the only Registered Clinical Counsellor in Canada certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT). This innovative therapy efficiently resolves trauma and PTSD by eliminating painful emotions associated with memories without the need to relive the traumatic experiences.

Additionally, Claudia completed the BC First Responder’s Health Occupational Awareness Training for Treating First Responders Trauma, certified by the BC Professional Firefighters Association. Her certification and forensic science background provide her with a comprehensive understanding of First Responders’ trauma.

Claudia also integrates her skills as a Yoga Therapist and Certified Yoga Instructor, registered with the International Yoga Alliance, into her practice. She utilizes evidence-based approaches like Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Restorative Yoga, enhancing her therapeutic offerings. Furthermore, she has expanded her expertise to include Pranayama and Meditation, focusing on Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing technique beneficial for individuals with significant depression who are unresponsive to antidepressants.

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