Forensic Science

Despite the very high profile of forensic science on TV and across the media in general, "what is forensic science" is an extremely common search engine phrase.

What this shows, I think it's fair to say, is that many people have a general idea of what forensic science is but they would struggle to come up with a definitive definition. With this very much in mind, I have put together a short presentation, consisting of a number of text slides and a video slideshow.

Click Here to watch the presentation.

Forensic science is a fascinating topic in its own right but when its employed, discussed and debated in relation to celebrities, high profile trials and key historical figures it becomes utterly compelling.



For example, escapologist Harry Houdini died on Halloween 1926. The official cause of death was recorded as a burst appendix, said to have resulted from a punch in the stomach (Houdini regularly challenged people to punch him in the stomach as a show of strength).

No autopsy was conducted and his family suspect he was in fact murdered by spiritualists after debunking claims that they could contact the dead. In order to try and solve this 80 year old mystery Houndini's body will be exhumed and examined by Forensic experts.

A team of forensic pathologists, anthropologists, toxicologists and radiologists has been assembled under the leadership of forensic specialist James Starrs, who examined the bodies of outlaw Jesse James and the Boston Strangler Albert De Salvo. Starrs is quoted as saying that "Everything will be thoroughly analyzed, We'll examine his hairs, his fingernails, any bone fractures."

We await the results and findings with interest.

Click Here for more famous forensic cases (Phil Spector, Joan of Arc, Ted Bundy, Napoleon Bonaparte)

Programs such as CSI, CSI Miami etc are very popular and thoroughly entertaining but they have created what is know in academic and professional circles as the 'CSI effect' i.e. the perception of the near-infallibility of forensic science.

As this percpetion is wide of the mark, we thought it would be useful to investigate the essence of forensic science. What do those working in the field consider the main attributes of forensic science to be? How much importance do they give to these attributes? Do these attributes vary across different forensic science disciplines? What do those studying or thinking about studying forensic science think? What do the public think?

We thought it would be interesting to see if any themes develop and to get people thinking about this issue, we put together the following video.

Concerned by the potential negative consequences of the CSI effect, the National Forensic academy in conjunction with best selling crime writer Patricia Cornwell have produced a free interactive package that allows you to appreciate and understand the way it really happens in crime scene investigation.

Please note that a high speed Internet connection is required.

Click Here To Take The CSI challenge

As previously mentioned we want to make our forensic science resources accessible as possible and open to anybody, and this includes forensic science for kids. With this in mind, we intend to showcase the best science resources aimed at children and younger students. To all you aspiring forensic scientists out there is page on the website dedicated to you Many of the links have great resources for teachers as well, so don't forget to tell them all about it.

Click Here to visit the forensic science for kids page.



The Montreal Science Centre Website is one of the many great links we feature on the forensic science for kids page. This is a great hands on website with lots to see and do. The games section of the website includes an award winning interactive file 'Autopsy of a Murder'. Through playing the game you will discover all about the world of criminalistics and forensic science.

Click Here To Play Autopsy of a Murder

(The game is located under the heading INTERACTIVE FILE ON CRIMINALISTICS about half way down the page).

We need your help choosing a memorable phrase that sums up the essence of the All About Forensic Science Website.



For inspiration we turned to the one and only Lt. Horatio Caine from CSI Miami. The following video includes some of the great man's finest one-liners; from which we have drawn up a tagline short-list. If you can spare a minute or so, please watch the video then vote for your favorite one-liner.

Click Here to visit the The CSI Miami tagline page to cast Your Vote

If you would like to be kept right up-to-date with the latest developments on the All About Forensic Science website, just leave your details and I will let you know as soon as we have anything new to report.

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