Research

Research priorities: genetic finger printing, genome analysis, analysis of ancient DNA, STR typing, forensic techniques

Bertrand Ludes is a forensic pathologist and is considered to be a pioneer in the analysis of ancient DNA. He has developed methods for genome analysis. He has used these methods to explain the origins of populations in Mongolia and the influence of steppe tribes on the population of Siberia.

In order to create a genetic fingerprint, repetitive DNA sequences are used, referred to as Short Tandem Repeats (STRs). Ludes developed STR typing for ancient DNA, extracted from the hair of Siberian mummies. A further method used in forensics is SNP typing (single nucleotide polymorphism). Bertrand Ludes performed the first successful test of Y-SNP typing using SNaPshot minisequencing on ancient DNA. He was able to reveal new insights into the history of the Kurgan people of southern Siberian from ancient DNA and investigated their pigmentation phenotype and biogeographical origin from the ancient remains of human bones.

Ludes also developed a new technique for proving death by drowning. This method can be used to accurately detect diatoms in tissue and compare them with diatoms in water samples. He has played a key role in the development and updating of this method and thus also supports the analysis of diatoms in bodies of water.

With his research, Bertrand Ludes aims to further develop forensic techniques and methods of analysis. He would like to discover more genetic markers in ancient DNA, make increasing use of robots and use samples to clarify when autopsies are necessary.

Career

• since 2013 Head, Medicolegal Institute (l'Institut médico-légal – IML), Paris, France
• 1996-2013 Professor of Forensic Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
• 1996-2013 Director, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
• 1993 Habilitation, Louis Pasteur University (since 2019: University of Strasbourg), Strasbourg, France
• 1991-1996 Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France
• 1990 PhD, Molecular Pharmacology, Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France
• 1985 Consultant

Functions

• since 2006 Vice-President, French Society of Forensic Medicine (La Société française de médecine légale), France
• since 2006 Vice-President, International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM)
• 2001-2013 Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
• Editor, International Journal of Legal Medicine
• Member, Editorial Board, Forensic Science International: Genetics
• Member, Publications Committee, La Revue de Médecine Légale
• Co-Founder, Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Strasbourg, France
• Forensics Expert (Court of Cassation), France

Honours and Memberships

• since 2009 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
• since 2009 Honorary Member, German Society for Forensic Medicine
• 2003 Honorary Doctorate, Medical College of Kunming (since 2012: Kunming Medical University), Kunming, China
• 2003 Honorary Doctorate “Grigore T. Popa”, University of Medicine and Pharmacy (U.M.F. Iasi),         Iași, Romania
• 1989 Prize for Cancer Research, French Association for Urology (Association française d'urologie (AFU)), France
• Honorary Member, Hungarian Institute for Forensic Sciences (HIFS), Hungary