Outline Model

Introductions: With continued advancement of technology, forensic science continues to evolve and become crime's worst enemy.

I. Defining forensic science

            A. The process of looking at various sciences to solve crimes (Jones 20)

            B. Forensic really means "legal," but "forensics" has come to be known as the science of

                solving crimes (Jones 20)

II. Examples of forensic science

A. Examining the residue from a gun (Potter)

B. Looking at DNA samples from a suspect (Potter)

C. Using a computer to re-create the scene of a crime (Jones 72)

III. Recent uses of forensic science

            A. Close examination of DNA

                        1. DNA samples are taken from a crime scene (Jones 55)

                        2. A computer examines the DNA samples and compares them to the DNA of

                            Suspects, searching for a near-perfect match (Jones 57)

            B. Computer simulations

                        1. Computer graphics can be used to re-create a crime scene (Potter)

                         2. CG can project what might have happened next at the crime scene, based on

                             various pieces of evidence that a detective feeds into the program (Potter)

 IV. Recent cases solved with forensic medicine

A. The Smith murder in Miami was solved with computer re-creation (Dunbury B3)

B. A car theft ring was broken up by Atlanta police, using forensics to match tire tracks, car paint and

    footprints left by thieves (Waldon C1)

Conclusion: Forensic science has been helping detectives solve crimes for decades, but new technology is

making life even more difficult for criminals.