Brenda Hoddinott

About Brenda | Art Educator | Forensic Artist | Author

Forensic Artist

Brenda’s skillful rendering of facial anatomy was first recognized by municipal and federal police departments in her home province of Newfoundland in 1976, and she was invited to become their forensic artist. As a forensic artist, Brenda worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in Newfoundland from 1976 to 1982. In 1982 she was presented with a commendation for her contribution to criminal identification departments.

In 1982 Brenda moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia with her family and she re-established her forensic art career. Criminal investigation departments throughout Nova Scotia have utilized Brenda’s skills as a forensic artist including all provincial detachments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, municipal police departments, Department of National Defense and private investigative agencies.

She was first qualified and recognized as an expert in her field by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1989 and has provided testimony as an expert witness in all levels of Canadian courts, as a result of her many successful drawings. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She became a member of The Association of Forensic Artists, based in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1992. In September 1993, an article on her work as a forensic artist was featured in their official publication, “The State of the Art”. Through this organization she accessed many articles and educational resources to further enhance her forensic art skills. She also learned cognitive interview techniques and adapted them to her specific needs in working with victims of and witnesses to crimes. In 1993, Brenda began the application process to become a full member of “Forensic Artists International”. She met all the requirements and standards of their by-laws, demonstrated satisfactory evidence of educational and artistic competence and was awarded a Certificate of Membership in 1994.

During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a civilian forensic artist, she has interviewed over one thousand victims of and witnesses to crimes. She has completed more than twelve hundred composite drawings resulting in hundreds of successful identification matches.

In 2002, Brenda retired from her twenty-five year career as a forensic artist, to pursue a new career as an author of educational drawing books and electronic publications.