Kishwaukee College Forensics Team

Contact Info

Director of Forensics
Office: U238
(815) 825-2086, Ext. 546

“Forensics”… Is That Like CSI?

Fortunately, “Forensics” does not involve cutting up dead bodies (Whew!).  Instead, “Forensics” comes from the Latin word, “Forensis,” meaning “Forum.”  According to Webster’s II Dictionary (1996)“Forensics” is defined as “the art of study of formal debate.”  However, in terms of the Kishwaukee College Speech Team, “Forensics” is competitive speaking in the areas of public address.

Kishwaukee College Speech Team consists of 4 – 12 members who compete with 3 – 5 events at the individual tournaments held throughout the state of Illinois.  From October through March, the team attends meets against other community colleges, but occasionally the team competes against the “big guns” of the state, such as Bradley University and Northern Illinois University.  Kishwaukee College is a member of PHI RHO PI, the national organization of community college forensics.  A different school each year hosts the PHI RHO PI National Tournament.  In 2006 the team will compete in Kansas City, MO April 10-15. 

“Forensics” is like a “track meet for speakers.”  Each student enters different categories and competes for three rounds against five other students (a different five each round) being evaluated by one or two judges.  Each student is then ranked 1 – 6: 1 being the highest.  After three rounds, the top six students in each category, with the lowest cumulated scores advance to the final round, receive various awards, and qualify for the National Tournament.