Esseiva

Pierre

Pierre Esseiva is full professor at the school of criminal justice at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. With a Ph.D. in forensic science he also has strong binding with law enforcement, where he dedicated five years as a police officer. This phase of his career gave him the ability to understand the challenges and complexities inherent in deploying research that can be used in real-world problematics.

Prof. Esseiva has spent over 25 years specializing in the analysis of illicit drugs. His expertise in this area is not just confined to laboratory analysis but extends to understanding the patterns, sources, and distribution channels of illicit market trafficking.

For more than a decade, he has also been at the forefront of monitoring illicit markets. His work in this domain is characterized by innovative methodologies and technologies, aimed at deciphering the operations, dynamics and size of illegal trade. Among his contributions is the use of wastewater epidemiology This technique has opened new avenues for understanding illicit drug use patterns, offering a covert and comprehensive method of monitoring illicit substance flow.

Moreover, his interest in the digitalization of traditional market has led him to explore the sector of online illicit markets. His studies into digital marketplaces have shed light on the evolution of drug trafficking in the age of the internet, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by cyberspace in the distribution of illicit drugs.

Another area where prof. Esseiva has done a lot of investigation is the decentralization of forensic capabilities. Recognizing the value of broadening access to forensic tools and techniques, he has championed efforts to equip law enforcement agencies, especially in resource-limited settings, with the skills and technologies needed for analysis illicit drug seized into the field in real-time.

The power of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex societal issues is also highlighted in his research. Through his work in wastewater epidemiology, digital market analysis, and the promotion of forensic decentralization, he has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of illicit markets and drug trafficking.