| are numerous crime shows filling the prime time | | | | court. Potential jurors are sometimes asked if |
| slots. And you can find some version of Law and | | | | they are viewers of Forensic Crime shows as this |
| Order, CSI etc. on at any time of day on a | | | | trend is being considered. |
| number of channels. The writers are increasingly | | | | In a similar vein, there are findings that suggest |
| creative and have a tireless supply of inspiration | | | | that forensic science shows help criminals cover |
| from real life events that they can put various | | | | their tracks. According to Joshua Marquis, an |
| spins on. The actors are dedicated and the | | | | Oregon prosecutor, “It’s not |
| directors are creating stories that are engaging | | | | uncommon for criminals to now bring bleach with |
| and elicit emotional responses. | | | | them to sanitize the crime scene.” |
| I know that personally they are my favorite thing | | | | Criminals are learning what not to leave behind at |
| to tune in to when I watch television. I watch a | | | | crime scenes and getting much better at covering |
| complicated crime unfold and the story develop | | | | their tracks. Crime show effects on criminals can |
| around it until the criminals minimal error is | | | | also be looked at on a flip side which is much |
| exposed and the perp is collared! Usually this error | | | | more positive. It is likely that the message being |
| is exposed by using a combination of a | | | | conveyed to many is that no matter how they |
| mastermind underpaid detective and the limitless | | | | try to cover their crime, forensic science will |
| resources of forensic science. I have often feared | | | | reveal their identity. |
| that this information may be misinterpreted by | | | | Whether we look at the positive or negative |
| some as instruction. The program lays out how to | | | | effects on the criminal, victim or juror, the |
| commit the crime, what errors to avoid and if | | | | cultivation theory is supported by any one of the |
| arrested how to see your trial through to | | | | findings. The cultivation theory holds that television |
| acquittal. | | | | cultivates a distorted worldview in which |
| The truth of the matter is that the numerous | | | | one’s perception of social reality |
| crime shows and frequency with which they air | | | | resembles the reality portrayed in the television |
| are in fact having an effect on real-world | | | | program. When looking at crime shows, the |
| expectations. This effect has earned its own buzz | | | | cultivation theory would say that the impact on |
| phrase named the “CSI Effect” | | | | an individual would be the tendency to |
| which is also referred to as the “CSI | | | | overestimate the rate of violent crime or the |
| Syndrome”. This effect is described as the | | | | prevalence of law enforcement officials. |
| viewing of crime shows raising victims and jury | | | | We are exposed to a plethora of crime shows. |
| members expectation of forensic science. The | | | | The writers are increasingly creative and have a |
| television writers can overstate the accuracy of | | | | tireless supply of inspiration from real life events. |
| forensic techniques as well as exaggerate the | | | | And it seems that life events are being equally |
| ability of forensic science. The expectations of | | | | affected by the shows themselves! The |
| crime scene investigation and DNA testing are | | | | emotional responses that these shows tend to |
| especially affected. Prosecutors are being | | | | elicit are carried over into our views, opinions and |
| pressured to present more forensic evidence in | | | | expectations of real life scenarios. |