R.I.S, police scientifique
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Stéphane Kaminka |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | France |
| Products | Television series |
R.I.S, police scientifique is a French television series developed by Stéphane Kaminka in 2005 and aired on TF1 starting in 2006. The show's name stands for Recherches et Investigations Scientifiques, representing a fictional forensic investigation unit central to the storyline. It is an adaptation of the Italian series RIS Delitti Imperfetti.
Plot summary
This drama follows a forensic team who assist detectives by uncovering vital evidence that leads to solving crimes and making arrests. Throughout the series, leadership of the R.I.S. unit changes hands among several characters: Marc Venturi (seasons 1–2), Gilles Sagnac (seasons 3–6), Maxime Vernon (seasons 6–7), and Lucie Ballack (season 8). The number of forensic specialists grows from five initially to seven over the course of the show, including members such as Hugo Chalonges, Malik Berkaoui, Nathalie Giesbert, Julie Labro, Frédéric Arthaud, Katia Schriver, and Émilie Durringer. They work alongside medical examiner Dr. Alessandra Joffrin and detectives Captain Pierre Morand and Lieutenant Martine Forest (featured in seasons 1–5). The narrative is set in Paris, France.
Characters
- Jean-Pierre Michaël as Marc Venturi (2005–07, 09): R.I.S. team leader
- Philippe Caroit as Gilles Sagnac (2007–10): R.I.S. team leader
- Michel Voïta as Maxime Vernon (2011–12): R.I.S. team leader
- Delfinne Rollin as Lucie Ballak (2013–14): R.I.S. team leader
- Pierre-Loup Rajot as Hugo Chalonges (2005–10)
- Stéphane Metzger as Malik Berkaoui (2005–14)
- Jean Luc Joseph as Frédéric Arthaud (2008–14)
- Aurélie Bargème as Nathalie Giesbert (2005–09)
- Anne Charlotte Pontabry as Katia Schriver (2009–12)
- Barbara Cabrita as Julie Labro (2005–11)
- Laetitia Fourcade as Émilie Durringer (2011–14)
- Coraly Zahonero as Dr. Alessandra Joffrin (2005–14)
- Laurent Olmedo as Captain Pierre Morand (2005–14)
- Claudia Tagbo as Lieutenant Martine Forest (2005–09)
| Character | Actor | Seasons | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Marc Venturi | Jean-Pierre Michaël | Main | Guest | Archive footage | ||||||
| Hugo Chalonges | Pierre-Loup Rajot | Main | ||||||||
| Malik Barkaoui | Stéphane Metzger | Main | ||||||||
| Nathalie Giesbert | Aurélie Bargème | Main | Recurring | |||||||
| Julie Labro | Barbara Cabrita | Main | Archive footage | |||||||
| Gilles Sagnac | Philippe Caroit | Main | ||||||||
| Dr. Alessandra Joffrin | Coraly Zahonero | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Captain Pierre Maurand | Laurent Olmedo | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Lieutenant Martine Forest | Claudia Tagbo | Recurring | Main | Recurring | ||||||
Main
- Marc Venturi
Marc was the leader of the R.I.S during its initial two seasons. He had a brief romantic involvement with Julie and was motivated by the mission to locate his abducted wife. After successfully finding her, he resigned at the conclusion of season two, later returning in season five to serve as a special advisor on a bomber investigation.
- Hugo Chalonges
Hugo, a specialist in physics and chemistry, shares close bonds with Marc Venturi and Gilles Sagnac. He is the father of Cécile, who has a disability. In season six, Hugo staged his own death to probe into a factory responsible for miscarriages linked to toxic emissions. Following Gilles's dismissal due to his involvement in the matter, Hugo chose to resign.
- Malik Berkaoui
As an expert in ballistics, Malik had relationships with both Julie and Cécile, Hugo’s daughter. In season seven, he was kidnapped and forcibly fitted with an explosive device but was saved by the team. In season nine, after being falsely accused of murdering his partner Lilou, Malik escaped custody seeking vengeance but ultimately decided against killing the perpetrator. He left R.I.S for medical treatment with a commitment to return.
- Nathalie Giesbert
Nathalie, specializing in biology, appeared from seasons one through five. She left Eloise unattended during a field operation, which led to an apartment explosion caused by a gas leak. Feeling responsible for Eloise’s death, Nathalie resigned from her position.
- Julie Labro
Julie, an electronics specialist, had short-lived romantic connections with Marc and Malik. She survived an explosive incident in season one but became targeted in season seven when a murderer blamed her and Malik for errors in their investigation. She died following a bomb blast in her home.
- Dr. Alessandra Joffrin
Alessandra serves as the medical examiner, conducting autopsies and forensic evaluations. She was abducted during season four but returned after a brief absence. From season eight onward, Alessandra entered into a relationship with Pierre Maurand; they welcomed a child during season nine.
- Pierre Maurand
Pierre is a police captain closely associated with Marc and Gilles. Beginning in season eight, he developed a romantic relationship with Alessandra that led to parenthood in season nine.
- Martine Forest
Lieutenant Martine collaborated with the team on numerous crime scenes and formed a partnership with Maurand. After sustaining injuries in season five, she departed for recovery. Martine is distinguished as the sole black woman on R.I.S.
- Gilles Sagnac
Gilles took over leadership of R.I.S from Marc Venturi. A close friend of Hugo and Pierre, he was involved in staging Hugo’s death but was dismissed by the end of season six.
- Frédéric "Fred" Arthaud
Fred joined as a lab technician in season four and is a close companion of Malik and Hugo. He is the only black male member of the team. In season nine, Fred survived a near-fatal viral attack and protected his girlfriend from an assailant.
- Dr. Gabriel Valmer
Valmer temporarily assumed Alessandra’s duties as medical examiner during her absence in season five before leaving without explanation.
- Katia Schriver
Katia became part of the team in season five after assisting on an investigation and remained until season eight; her departure was not clarified.
- Maxime Vernon
Commander Vernon assumed command of R.I.S in season six but was fatally shot during a hostage crisis involving Émilie Durringer at the end of season eight.
- Émilie Durringer
Émilie replaced Julie starting in season seven after aiding on a murder case and quickly integrated into R.I.S. In season nine, she survived being buried alive as a hostage and later overcame a severe viral infection alongside Fred.
- Lucie Ballack
Lucie succeeded Vernon as head of R.I.S, becoming its first female leader. Early into her tenure, she managed significant challenges such as Émilie’s kidnapping effectively with Alessandra’s assistance.
Recurring Characters
- Cécile Challonges (seasons 1–2, 5–6)
Cécile, played by Lizzie Brocheré, is Hugo's daughter who was initially unable to walk. She had a short-lived romantic involvement with Malik. After departing the country for surgery at the conclusion of season 2, she reappeared in season 5 with regained mobility. Her final appearance occurred in season 6.
- Eloise Soma (seasons 4–5)
Eloise, portrayed by Claire Galopin, works as a laboratory technician whose debut field mission took place in the opening episode of season 5. While investigating a gas leak at a crime scene alone, she collapsed without being noticed. Malik entered the apartment moments before it exploded; however, Eloise succumbed to gas poisoning. Her passing led Nathalie to resign.
Guest Appearances
- Adriana Karembeu as Krystel Regnier
- Eriq Ebouaney as The Campus President
- Fanny Sidney as Mathilde
- Françoise Bertin as Annette Dumas / Lucette
- Hugo Becker as Emmanuel
- Jean Dell as Lawyer Langevin
- Jean-Marie Bigard as Carrera
- Jonas Bloquet as Alexandre Bouvier
- Lannick Gautry as Stéphane
- Liane Foly as Monica Verone
- Linda Hardy as Lilou
- Marie-Christine Adam as Madame Duringer
- Marie-Hélène Lentini as Committee Member
- Patrick Descamps as Henri Marcon
- Samir Boitard as Karim Akdar
- Serge Riaboukine as Me Kalfan
Variations from the Original Version
The French adaptation remains faithful to the Italian original, with most episodes tailored to French contexts and characters renamed accordingly. Season two introduced several unique plotlines not present in the original. The lead investigator in the French series, Marc Venturi, shares his surname with his Italian counterpart Riccardo Venturi, though other character names differ.
See Also
- RIS Delitti Imperfetti, the original Italian series
- R. I. S. – Die Sprache der Toten, the German adaptation of RIS Delitti Imperfetti
- List of French Adaptations of Television Series from Other Countries
- C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation