Welcome to UNI Forensics!

What is Forensics?

Contrary to popular belief, we have nothing to do with anything you might have seen on the hit television show CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). Instead, the Forensic team at UNI participates in intercollegiate speech and debate competitions throughout the school year, culminating in several national tournaments in April. As for why we call ourselves "forensics...", well, this term comes from Aristotle's Rhetoric, where he divided the forms of speeches into three general areas: celebratory (epideictic), legal (forensic) and policy (deliberative). The skills of debate and public speaking were first honed in the courts of law in ancient Greece, and it is from this tradition that competitive forensics grew.

About UNI Forensics

As one of the oldest student activities on campus, UNI Forensics Program participants are proud to represent UNI with continued competitive success. UNI is the only college or university in Iowa that offers students the opportunity to compete extensively in both Individual Events as well as Debate. We are proud of this distinction, and strive to achieve excellence in both areas. Please continue to explore this web page to discover more information about the Individual Events and Debate squads at UNI and the advantages of being a member of the program: an extensive travel schedule, quality coaching, and scholarship support.