This is a document which expands the information provided in the Forensic Science Powerpoint presentation. It uses the presentation as a backdrop.

1. UNIVERSIDAD DEL ESTE SANTA ISABEL (UNESI)
ENGLISH C116: READING AND WRITING II
Section: 11546
Term: Mar 28, 2016 - May 19, 2016
Forensic Science
Informative Reading
A Writing Exercise
As partial requirements for the 111 English Course
Presented by:
Kevin D. Irizarry Marrero
S01047509
4/26/2016

2. Good morning everyone, my name is Kevin Irizarry Marrero and today I will talk to you
about Forensic Science and what it is in general. I will start with an introductory video on
Forensic Science.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ
What is Forensic Science?
Forensic Science means any science which is used as evidence in a court of law. It is
also taken to mean scientific analysis and comparison used in the detection and
investigation of crime.
The word forensic is derived from the Latin adjective forensis meaning "of or before the
forum". In ancient Roman society, cases involving criminal charges were presented
before a group of individuals in the forum. Both the victim and suspect would give
speeches on their side of the story. The best argument would determine the outcome of
the case.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the acceptance that everybody has different
fingerprints made a great impression on the detection of crime, as did the discovery that
people have different blood groups, so that blood stains left at a scene or found on an
injured party could be linked to a suspect.
Forensic Science has been greatly popularized by authors such as Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle, through his infamous character Sherlock Holmes, and through many
contemporary TV series such as CSI, Dexter and Bones. It has also created unrealistic
expectations from forensic science known now as the "CSI Effect".
Forensic science helps law enforcement officials solve crimes through the collection,
preservation and analysis of evidence. For example, if there are no witnesses to a crime,
forensic proof is often all prosecutors have to investigate. If human remains have decayed
so much that they can no longer be identified, forensic experts study dental work, DNA
and skeletal structure to identify a person and determine gender. In most cases, forensic
investigators can ascertain the reason for death and whether crime was involved.
Forensic science is used most frequently with sex crimes and crimes related to drugs.
Forensic toxicology establishes if an individual was intoxicated or high while driving
after a deadly mishap or if somebody was poisoned to death. DNA proof retrieved from a
victim’s body can also ascertain who was accountable for physical or sexual violence.

3. Weapon testing is yet another essential part of forensic science. Forensic experts utilize
their expertise in ammunition to analyze the impact of a bullet, determine the number of
shots fired and pinpoint the exact position of a shooter.
Specialized staff is needed to conduct forensic investigations, such as Crime scene
investigators and other forensic scientists.
What is a Crime Scene Investigator?
A crime scene investigator is, more often than not, a member of law enforcement who is
responsible for identifying, collecting, preserving, and packaging physical evidence at the
scene of a crime. Although it is often believed that crime scene investigators are the
professionals performing tests on the physical evidence, those jobs, in fact, are reserved
for forensic scientists and other forensic professionals.
A select few crime scene investigators may also perform laboratory forensic work,
although the majority of crime scene investigators perform their work at a crime scene,
where they collect everything from firearms and fingerprints to DNA samples and
photographic evidence.
A crime scene investigator is a rather broad title, as this professional may be a:
Crime scene leader, Crime scene technician, Forensic photographer, Forensic sketch
artist, Ballistics expert, Fingerprint expert or a DNA expert
A crime scene investigator is most often employed by a local, state or federal law
enforcement agency. These professionals may be employed by a town’s sheriff’s office,
by the FBI, or by a state police department.
What is a Forensic Scientist?
Although forensic science may be a very complex study, particularly in the areas of DNA
and trace evidence, for example, the study of forensic science is grounded in fundamental
concepts and techniques that are gathered from the natural sciences. In particular, the
study of forensic science involves a multi-disciplinary approach that covers everything
from biological methods to analytical chemistry techniques.
Forensic scientists may be divided into three, major groups:
•Forensic Pathologists: These include medical examiners and other professionals who
oversee autopsies and clinical forensic examinations.

4. •Forensic Scientists: These include forensic professionals working in law enforcement,
government, or private forensic laboratories who are responsible for dealing with any
number of specific tests and analyses, such as toxicology, ballistics, trace evidence, etc.
•Associated Scientists: These include scientific professionals lending their knowledge to
forensic science, such as forensic odontologists, forensic botanists, forensic
anthropologists, etc. These scientists apply their knowledge to the forensic science field
as to provide investigators with crucial information regarding everything from bite marks
to insect infestation on the postmortem body.
The importance of Forensic Science.
Forensic science is very important because it aids in establishing the guilt or innocence of
potential suspects. Forensic evidence is also useful for linking crimes, which establishes
the patterns of crimes and also narrows the number of probable suspects.
My personal Input.
We shouldn’t forget that the idea of a complex, hard to avoid, crime prosecution system
really helps in the demoralizing of criminal intent and the fact that constant technological
advancement, particularly in forensics can lead to solving cases that were impossible to
solve in the past.
This was basically general information on what Forensic Science is. Thank you all for
your attention.

5. References:
 http://www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/what-is-forensic-science/
 http://www.forensicscience.ie/Services/History-of-Forensic-Science/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ
 http://www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/what-is-a-csi/
 http://www.criminalistica.com.mx/areas-forenses/criminalistica/745-the-
importance-of-forensic-science-in-criminal-investigations
Very good work and presentation.
38/40 = 95%.