The True Crime: The Legitimacy of the CSI Effect
Open Access
- Author:
- Lipko, Blake
- Area of Honors:
- Forensic Science
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Michael A Kusluski, Thesis Supervisor
Mitchell Mark Holland, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- CSI Effect
Forensic evidence
expectations - Abstract:
- The purpose of this thesis is to shed light on the existence of the phenomenon known as the CSI Effect. The CSI Effect is the idea that viewers of crime-based television shows tend to believe they are more knowledgeable in relation to forensic terminology/processes than the average layperson. This notion in turn increases juror expectations of forensic evidence in court, which could result in a multitude of issues. While this paper does not pose the CSI Effect as a “bad” or a “good” thing, it nonetheless considers the consequences of the CSI Effect and the research that has been conducted thus far. In order to gauge public opinion about the CSI Effect and aspects of crime-based shows in general, an anonymous survey (n=249) was conducted where participants were asked to answer a series of five yes or no questions. The results of the study suggested that the public believes that these shows increase juror expectations, yet still find shows to be informative in regard to forensic practices. Additionally, participants also had high expectations themselves when it came to the presentation of DNA evidence in a general court case. In addition to the CSI Effect, other courtroom factors that could impact the judicial system are explored throughout this paper. Policy and educational recommendations are also proposed that could help subdue the stigma surrounding the CSI Effect. Ultimately, the CSI Effect was determined to be present to some extent, and its acknowledgement is required to benefit all sides of the courtroom.