Christophe Champod

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Christophe Champod
Born1968 (age 56–57)
Yverdon-les-Bains, Vaud, Switzerland
NationalitySwiss
Alma materUniversity of Lausanne (MSc, PhD)
Known forForensic identification; fingerprints and trace evidence
Scientific career
FieldsForensic science
InstitutionsUniversity of Lausanne


Christophe Champod (born 1968) is a Swiss forensic scientist and academic at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). He is widely recognised as a leading expert on trace and fingerprint evidence and has received several of the field’s top distinctions.[1][2] Born in Yverdon-les-Bains in the canton of Vaud, he grew up in neighbouring Neuchâtel.[3][4]

In June 2025, UNIL’s Council selected Champod as the institution’s next rector (the university’s head/president), with the appointment subject to confirmation by the Vaud Council of State; if confirmed, his term is scheduled to begin on 1 August 2026.[5][6][7]

Early life and education

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Champod was born in Yverdon-les-Bains in 1968 and grew up in the canton of Neuchâtel.[8][9] He earned a diploma (MSc equivalent) in forensic science and criminology from the University of Lausanne in 1990 and a PhD (summa cum laude) in 1995, both in forensic science.[10]

Career

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From 1999 to 2003, Champod led the Interpretation Research Group at the UK Forensic Science Service before returning to UNIL, where he was appointed full professor in 2003.[11][12] His research focuses on the inferential aspects of forensic identification and the evaluation of evidence, notably fingerprints and footwear marks, and he continues to serve as an expert witness in Switzerland and abroad.[13] In 2021 he became Director of UNIL’s École des sciences criminelles (School of Criminal Justice).[14]

UNIL rector selection

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On 27 June 2025, UNIL’s Council proposed Champod to succeed Frédéric Herman as rector from 1 August 2026. The proposal requires approval by the Vaud Council of State before it becomes final.[15][16]

Honours

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Henry Medal (2017), The Fingerprint Society (UK).[9]

Douglas M. Lucas Medal (2020), American Academy of Forensic Sciences (Forensic Science Foundation).[17]

Selected works

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Champod, Christophe; Lennard, Chris J.; Margot, Pierre; Stoilovic, Milutin, eds. (2017). Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4987-2895-9. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

Traces et empreintes digitales : traité de dactyloscopie (in French). Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes (PPUR). 2017. ISBN 978-2889151837. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

See also

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Forensic science

University of Lausanne

References

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  1. ^ "Christophe Champod, expert mondial des traces et empreintes". SWI swissinfo.ch (in French). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Christophe Champod, professeur de l'UNIL, sommité planétaire des traces et empreintes". ArcInfo (in French). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Inspiration, chance ou travail, comment viennent les grandes idées?". RTS Info (in French). Radio Télévision Suisse. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  4. ^ "l'uniscope n° 624 – Bio express: Christophe Champod" (PDF). UNIL – l’uniscope (in French). 22 May 2017. p. 5. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  5. ^ "L'Université de Lausanne choisit le criminologue Christophe Champod comme nouveau recteur". RTS Info (in French). Radio Télévision Suisse. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Christophe Champod proposé comme futur recteur de l'UNIL en 2026". La Télé (in French). 27 June 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Un criminologue proposé pour le poste de recteur de l'UNIL". Radio Lac (ATS/Keystone) (in French). 27 June 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Inspiration, chance ou travail, comment viennent les grandes idées?". RTS Info (in French). Radio Télévision Suisse. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2025. « Christophe Champod est né à Yverdon-les-Bains, mais grandit dans la campagne neuchâteloise. »
  9. ^ a b "l'uniscope n° 624 – Bio express: Christophe Champod" (PDF). UNIL – l’uniscope (in French). 22 May 2017. p. 5. Retrieved 11 August 2025. « 1968 : Naissance à Yverdon »
  10. ^ "Plenary Speakers – EAFS 2022 (Biography: Christophe Champod)". European Academy of Forensic Science Conference 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Plenary Speakers – EAFS 2022 (Biography: Christophe Champod)". EAFS 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Christophe Champod, expert mondial des traces et empreintes". SWI swissinfo.ch (in French). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Plenary Speakers – EAFS 2022 (Biography: Christophe Champod)". EAFS 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Christophe Champod". Forum des 100 (Le Temps) (in French). 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  15. ^ "L'Université de Lausanne choisit le criminologue Christophe Champod comme nouveau recteur". RTS Info (in French). 27 June 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Christophe Champod proposé comme futur recteur de l'UNIL en 2026". La Télé (in French). 27 June 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Christophe Champod, expert mondial des traces et empreintes". SWI swissinfo.ch (in French). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
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