Progress Test 07-09 Audio Script
Track 3
Researcher: Well, first of all, thank you for meeting me.
Iris: Not at all. I hope I can help.
Researcher: Well, as you know, we’re doing some research for a documentary series about forensic science – we want to call it CSI – the reality. I must tell you that, at the moment, we’re most interested in the differences between the TV dramas and the reality of a crime lab.
Iris: That’s fine, I can talk about that.
Researcher: Great. So, first of all, how do you organise the work here?
Iris: Well, basically, we work in two teams. In the first team, we have the crime scene analysts. They’re the people who collect the evidence from the crime scene. In the second team, we have the forensic scientists, people like me, who actually do the scientific tests in the lab. The important thing is that these forensic scientists are experts in different fields, so, for example, we have an expert on guns and bullets, a fingerprints expert, and so on. I’m a DNA expert.
Researcher: I see. That seems a little different to the TV show.
Iris: Yes, you’re right. On the show, the crime scene analysts also work in the lab, and they often know about everything, from bullets to fingerprints.
Researcher: Exactly. So, when the crime scene analysts are at the crime scene, what do they have to do?
Iris: Well, first of all, the photographer takes hundreds of pictures of the crime scene, and at the same time someone interviews any witnesses. Then, they collect any evidence, and this is when they have to be very careful. They have to wear rubber gloves because they mustn’t damage any of the evidence. Basically, they look for fingerprints, hairs, perhaps blood. It all depends on the crime, really. Also, they have to take very careful notes. This is important because we, the scientists in the lab, have to know exactly where all the evidence has come from.
Researcher: Right. Now, on TV, most of the crimes are murders. Is that true for you?
Iris: Oh, no, not at all. 90 per cent of our work is with burglaries or stolen cars, you know the kind of thing.
Researcher: Really? OK, so what about the lab work? Do you have to do anything special?
Iris: Well, first of all, we always tell the police that they must be patient because our work in the lab takes time. On TV, a police officer doesn’t have to wait very long to get test results, perhaps just a few hours. In reality, an officer has to wait twenty days to get a DNA test result. Secondly, we work in a lab, so there are certain lab rules. We have to turn our mobile phones off, and we mustn’t eat or drink in the lab, that kind of thing.
Researcher: OK. Any more differences?
Iris: Well, I must be honest here, unfortunately, scientists sometimes make mistakes, but, on TV, the scientists never make mistakes! Amazing!
Researcher: Indeed. And, now that we have these dramas about forensic scientists, have there been any changes in your work?
Iris: Well, there’s been a positive change in our image. For once, science is an interesting or glamorous profession. It’s incredible really, so many young people are now applying to work in crime labs. There’s been a 500 per cent increase in applications to university courses, for example. And many of these people are young women. And the thing is, we’re scientists not police officers, so you don’t have to study law. Instead you have to study chemistry or biology. So, although the TV shows are basically police dramas, more people are now studying science subjects, which is great.
Researcher: Interesting. So, erm, can I have a look around your lab?
Iris: Well, I’m not sure. My boss says all visits must only be for work reasons.
Researcher: Well, this is kind of work related. I mean, we must get the documentary right.
Iris: I suppose so. Well, OK, but you must turn your phone off and you must be quiet, or my boss will kill me!
Researcher: Hmm … murder in the crime lab. Could be a good story for the TV show …
PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2007 Pearson Longman ELT
3
milka140