Science Café – "Forensic Science: When Science Investigates"

March 13, 2025, 8:00 p.m. - March 13, 2025, 10:00 p.m.

Science Cafés 2024 2025

On Thursday, March 13, at 8 p.m. at the MJC in Chambéry, the science outreach organization Science Action is hosting a discussion on the topic “Forensic Science: When Science Investigates.”

ABOUT THE MEETING

Science has become an indispensable ally of law enforcement in solving criminal cases. Thanks to technological advances, forensic science analyzes evidence left at a crime scene and identifies it with precision in order to convict the guilty or exonerate suspects. From chemistry to physics and biology, scientific and technical experts draw on multiple fields to carry out their analyses. Fingerprints, DNA, ballistics, document analysis, cell phone location tracking, credit card and internet activity tracking, and more—many types of evidence are utilized during investigations. In a world where crime is constantly evolving, science is a formidable asset in the service of justice. What connection exists between the judicial system and research? What training leads to these careers? What are the latest innovations aiding investigations? Do our TV shows reflect reality, and is our perception of these matters skewed by them?

To address all these questions, the Science Actions association will host several experts on the subject at this coffee-and-discussion event.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

  • David Tognelli, Chief Superintendent and former head of the Besançon Criminal Investigation Division. He will be accompanied by a forensic technician from Annecy.
  • Jacques HEBRARD, Lieutenant General (2S). An engineer from the École de l’Air, holder of a postgraduate degree in forensic chemistry from the University of Lausanne, and a distinguished graduate of that university.
  • Pierre HENRY, medical examiner at CH Métropole Savoie.

ABOUT SCIENCE CAFÉS

Science Cafés allow the general public to discuss a wide range of topics, often related to current events, with experts and researchers in a friendly atmosphere. They are organized by the Science-Actions association, in collaboration with the University of Savoie Mont Blanc, the city of Chambéry, the Astrée cinema, and the MJC youth center in Chambéry.

These evenings are organized around the principle of a debate, which is based on questions asked by the audience to the speakers. They are neither lectures nor conferences given by a speaker. They allow everyone to form their own opinion on often complex subjects for which there is no simple or single solution. They also provide an opportunity to learn more about the research being carried out locally in the Chambéry area and neighboring regions by researchers, engineers, and doctors who volunteer their time to participate in our evenings.

Once a quarter, Cafés Science takes the form of a movie screening called Ciné Science. In this case, the film is shown at the Astrée cinema at 8:30 p.m. It is followed by a discussion with two or three experts on the film's theme.

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