Denis Werner (UQTR)

Denis Werner is Professor of Forensic Science at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Canada. After obtaining his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in forensic science at the University of Lausanne's School of Criminal Sciences, he continued his academic career at the University of Derby as Lecturer in Forensic Science for 2 years, dividing his time between research and teaching activities. Since starting his PhD in 2015, he has been commissioned by Swiss, English and international forensic authorities to provide expert opinions in several areas of forensic science, in particular firearms, gunshot residue, tool marks and fire. Denis defines himself first and foremost as a multidisciplinary forensic generalist who considers forensic science to be a science in its own right. His research activities and interests cover a wide range of forensic science fields, as evidenced by the breadth of his scientific publications.

Research topics:

• Identification of trace objects (e.g. firearms, tools, soles, 3D-printed objects)
• Source inference of forensic traces (e.g. traces of flammable products, gunshot residues, 3D-printed objects)
• Role and contribution of trace evidence in forensic investigation (e.g. fire and explosion investigation, crime scene investigation)
• Evidence interpretation (e.g. data processing, chemometrics, probabilistic / Bayesian approach)

Main ongoing projects:

• Forensic Science Research Group (GRSF)
• Exploitation and probabilistic interpretation of firearms and tool marks
• Forensic investigation and evaluation of 3D-printed objects (firearms, tools, weapon parts, etc.)
• Source inference for traces of flammable liquids
• Source inference of gunshot residues using an automated learning approach
• Assessment of biological traces at activity level
• Study of variability and reproducibility of acquired sole characteristics
• Evaluation of the use of drones in crime scene investigation
• Evaluation of the use of laser scanners in crime scene documentation

Towards a public safety institute

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