Pierre Margot
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Pierre Margot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 February 1950 Delémont, Switzerland |
| Known for | Invention of the polilight for the forensic identification field |
| Awards | Doctorate honoris causa Douglas M. Lucas Award Merentibus Award John A. Dondero Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Fingerprint Forensic scientist |
| Institutions | University of Lausanne |
Pierre Margot is a Swiss forensics scientist known for his contribution to the invention of the first forensic light source Polilight for the detection of fingerprint, biological fluids and other evidence on the crime scene.[1][2] This new technology was named by the Powerhouse Museum as one of the top 100 Australian innovations of the 20th century.[3] It was a great revolution in the field of forensic identification since this light could be used at the crime scene, unlike lasers at that time.
Pierre Margot was born in Delémont (Switzerland) on 25 February 1950. He obtained his degree in forensic science and criminology at the University of Lausanne in 1974. He then obtained his master's degree (1977) and PhD (1980) in forensic science at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.[4][5] He then continued his post-doctoral studies in toxicology in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1986, he became the fourth director of the Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (IPSC) of the University of Lausanne; he held this position until 2016.[citation needed] During his career, he has contributed to numerous articles in forensic journals, written many books and book chapters, and has also given several lectures worldwide.
Work
Because of his expertise in forensics, Pierre Margot has worked on several international issues. In 1972, in Northern Ireland, he participated in the investigation of Bloody Sunday with Doug Lucas and Peter Forest. He then continued his international involvement in 1985, during his participation in the investigation of the Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.[6] In 1989, while working at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, he participated (with Ron Warrener, Hilton Kobus, Milutin Stoilovic and Chris Lennard) to the invention of the Polilight.[7] He participated, among other during his career, to the investigation of the massacres of the Order of the Solar Temple (1994–1997) in Canada and in Suisse, as well as on the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland (1998, with Doug Lucas and Peter Forest).[citation needed]
Distinctions
- 2004: Merentibus Award – Krakov (Poland) – higher distinction awarded by the Institute of Forensic Research
- 2010: Recognition Award – Rofin Forensic (Australia) – for the development of the Polilight
- 2011: Douglas M. Lucas Award – American Academy of Forensic Sciences[8]
- 2013: Doctorate honoris causa of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières[2]
- 2014: John A. Dondero Memorial Award of the International Association for Identification
- 2014: Nominated to the French Forensic Science Hall of Fame of the Association Québécoise de Criminalistique[9]
