Have you ever wanted to pursue a career in forensic science or want to conduct crime scene investigations? Or maybe you have pondered about working in a courtroom as a juror or an attorney. If you have, I am going to provide to you my personal experience along with the myths and realities that come along with the CSI effect, and even if you haven't, grab a coffee or a tea and read along anyways!
I currently work as a deputy coroner who gets to conduct death investigations and crime scene investigations almost daily. Having grown up watching crime scene television shows all of my life, I used to believe that was the reality of how crime scene investigations were performed; arrive to the scene, collect evidence and perform a forensic DNA test within hours, and then prosecute the criminal. It all seemed so simple. When I was a young boy, I used to go around my house and extract fingerprints off different items with lead and Scotch tape based off of an experiment that I learned in grade school. This soon developed into the current job that I have today. Now, I do not extract fingerprints on scene, but I still perform death investigations to determine what a person has died from; and let me tell you, sometimes it is not as simple as crime scene shows portray it to be.
Let's first discuss what the CSI effect is...it is the false reality that crime scene shows depict on television in which they convict the criminal almost always. They obtain evidence every time causing potential negative influence on the public and professionals that work in the criminal justice field. Typical crime scene shows that you may watch such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or NCIS are a part of the CSI effect. Let me provide a statistical perspective on how the CSI effect is a false reality. In crime scene shows like CSI, the criminal is found guilty and prosecuted 94% of the time, while in reality, only about 40% of total crimes worldwide are solved. The CSI effect creates a false imagination for a lot of people especially those looking to get into the forensic science field. In a study published by Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges Association, they surveyed 127 death investigators and asked them how much impact crime scene shows have on their everyday work. Majority replied that it does not affect their work much, but it does however affect how police interact with people and how courtroom operations can work. The death investigators confirmed that crime scene shows are inaccurate in their portrayals and 94% of them said that the CSI effect causes high expectation from the public about their professions.
A study conducted at the Superior Court of Delaware explored the impact the CSI effect has in the courtroom. In the case State vs Cooke, ten types of forensic evidence were used in the case. Within the case, Cooke challenged the ten types of evidence used against him as being unreliable. The main point of the study was to examine whether the jurors would rely on all of the evidence presented even if it was inaccurate, or use thorough investigation skills to prosecute Cooke. What was found was that the jurors in the case could have had a heightened expectation of relying on evidence to prosecute Cooke due to the CSI effect.
Unlike how crime shows depict forensic testing for evidence it actually takes time. After all, you cannot rush perfection. Take for example, the infamous O.J. Simpson case. In this case, various kinds of evidence over 11 months was admitted, but none seemingly perfect enough. The OLR Research Report stated that in Connecticut, turn-around times for forensic evidence in the forensic biology category ranges from anywhere between 2 weeks to 12 months. Often times, fingerprint testing will take a shorter amount of time than DNA testing. Although crime scene shows depict a match almost instantaneously and with certainty, in reality, a fingerprint or DNA match must come along with 100% certainty, therefore can take time. With time, forensic DNA testing is one of the most accurate ways to prosecute a criminal.
Issues that are caused by the CSI effect include false expectations from college students that may be interested in the forensic field as well as inaccuracy in the courtroom. It was found that college students who watch crime scene shows that resemble the CSI effect, automatically want to do it because it looks "cool". However, they soon find out that the forensic field and criminal justice field combined is not all sun shines and rainbows. In the courtroom, jurors are the most effected as well as some attorneys. Statistically, 38% of attorneys reported they had lost cases due to the CSI effect, 45% of attorneys commented that jurors rely on scientific evidence more than they should, and 72% of attorneys responded that jurors who are CSI fans had a critical effect on the other jurors to believe their views.
To resolve the issue of the CSI effect, it depends on if individuals will rely on scientific evidence or apply more logical reasoning especially in courtrooms. Patience is really the key as forensic tests take time to be perfected. Such as in my job, when an autopsy needs performed to determine a cause of death when it is not known on scene, the results may take over a month. For those going into the criminal justice field, there must not be an expectation that investigations occur the way they do on crime scene television shows. Remember to always be your own person and have fun as well as take pride in what you do. Do not base it on someone else or a television show.
~Keep in mind that I am not telling you to not watch crime shows because I still do myself. Rather, I am trying to open eyes as to what really occurs in the forensic science field and the criminal justice system. If you are interested in learning more about the reality of the forensic science field and want to learn from experts that state there is no such thing as a perfect crime, I would suggest giving Forensic Files a watch! Also, for more information supplemental to this blog post, please view my infographic below that compares myths versus reality of the CSI effect along with troubles jurors may run into with false hope in the courtroom.
Figure 1. The CSI Effect. Provides visual context of the information discussed in this blog and various facts and statistics when discussing the CSI effect.
Great post Cole, looking forward to following your career path. Maybe we'll see you on a tv show someday!