Abstract: The useful information carried by spatio-temporal data is often outlined by geometric structures and patterns. Filaments or clusters induced by galaxy positions in our Universe are such an example. Two situations are to be considered. First, the pattern of interest is hidden in the data set, hence the pattern should be detected. Second, the structure to be studied is observed, so relevant characterization of it should be done. Probabilistic modelling is one of the approaches that allows to furnish answers to these questions. This is done by developing unitary methodologies embracing simultaneously three directions: modelling, simulation and inference. This talk presents the use of marked point processes applied to the detection and to the characterization of such structures. Practical examples are also shown.