The CSI Effect is defined as "any of several ways in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows influences public perception". Shows like CSI (enter your favorite city here), NCIS and Criminal Minds have brought forensic science to an all time high as far as popularity among the general public. This is evidenced by the increased interest among students who desire to enter this field and the number of courses now offered by many schools. The term "CSI Effect" usually refers to the belief that jurors expect more forensic science evidence in criminal trials.
This belief seems to be widely accepted among Americans in the legal system. Prosecutors feel that the bar has been raised which has placed a higher standard of proof on them. Anyone who has been involved in voir dire in recent years has probably witnessed the attorney (usually the Prosecutor) ask the prospective jurors if they watch these television shows. Others use opening statements and closing arguments to minimize the possible impact of the CSI Effect, and instruct jurors to adhere to the court's standards of evidence rather than those seen on television.
Creators of the CSI shows have made the claims that "all of the science is real" on the shows. This is far from the truth. Researchers refer their portrayal of forensic science as "high-tech magic". Forensic scientist Thomas Mauriello estimated that "40 percent of the scientific techniques depicted on CSI do not exist. In addition to using unrealistic techniques, CSI ignores all elements of uncertainty present in real investigations, and instead portrays experimental results as absolute truth". Sorry, the abilities of "Abby" (NCIS), "David Hodges" (CSI) and "Penelope Garcia" (Criminal Minds) don't exist in the real world of forensic science. I'm often amused when the Criminal Minds team asks "Garcia" to conduct some ridiculous research on an obscure incident that took place 30 years prior and, within seconds, she has the results they are seeking. Also amusing is when DNA or fingerprint results can be reached by "Abby" in a matter of minutes and with those results, show a photo, current address, place of employment and criminal history. Yes, I understand that it is "Hollywood" and they only have about a 42 minute episode, so they need to make things happen quickly. Unfortunately this results in much of the general public believing that this technology and abilities are accurate. Don't get me wrong. These shows have also been beneficial to our system of justice. Jurors have come to expect that when there is forensic evidence presented in a trial that the results are accurate. We've all seen too many people released, after decades in prison, because the evidence now shows that they were wrongfully convicted. Jurors for the most part, want to get it right. However, relying on these television shows to be accurate would be a misconception. It is up to those of us within this field, and within the criminal justice system, to educate the public to insure that they can separate between what is factual and what is entertainment.
Creators of the CSI shows have made the claims that "all of the science is real" on the shows. This is far from the truth. Researchers refer their portrayal of forensic science as "high-tech magic". Forensic scientist Thomas Mauriello estimated that "40 percent of the scientific techniques depicted on CSI do not exist. In addition to using unrealistic techniques, CSI ignores all elements of uncertainty present in real investigations, and instead portrays experimental results as absolute truth". Sorry, the abilities of "Abby" (NCIS), "David Hodges" (CSI) and "Penelope Garcia" (Criminal Minds) don't exist in the real world of forensic science. I'm often amused when the Criminal Minds team asks "Garcia" to conduct some ridiculous research on an obscure incident that took place 30 years prior and, within seconds, she has the results they are seeking. Also amusing is when DNA or fingerprint results can be reached by "Abby" in a matter of minutes and with those results, show a photo, current address, place of employment and criminal history. Yes, I understand that it is "Hollywood" and they only have about a 42 minute episode, so they need to make things happen quickly. Unfortunately this results in much of the general public believing that this technology and abilities are accurate. Don't get me wrong. These shows have also been beneficial to our system of justice. Jurors have come to expect that when there is forensic evidence presented in a trial that the results are accurate. We've all seen too many people released, after decades in prison, because the evidence now shows that they were wrongfully convicted. Jurors for the most part, want to get it right. However, relying on these television shows to be accurate would be a misconception. It is up to those of us within this field, and within the criminal justice system, to educate the public to insure that they can separate between what is factual and what is entertainment.
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