CSI Evidence Analysis

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Besides the classic medical drama, some of the most popular and most watched shows from week-to-week depict the criminal investigation process. Some of these shows revolve around the courtroom. As viewers, we are able to hear about the crime and watch lawyers argue a case. Other shows take us inside the police station to see how law enforcement operate and solve cases. However, the general public’s interest in crime solving seemed to begin when a certain show came around that took us into the forensic lab and explained the intricacies of evidence, from fibers to DNA. From the first explanation of how evidence can make or break a case, the world was hooked. The world was so enthralled with crime investigation that our court system would soon …show more content…

According to David Neubauer and Henry Fradella, the CSI effect is when “jurors wrongfully acquit guilty defendants when no scientific evidence is presented (2014). This is problematic because our criminal justice system relies on an unbiased jury to reach a verdict. If a juror has an inaccurate idea about what evidence determines a person’s guilt, then this could affect the outcome of a case. This could also potentially alter how a legal team would choose to argue a case, especially when it comes to the prosecution where they need the jury to give a guilty verdict. However, the CSI effect can also affect other areas besides how a jury views evidence. The CSI effect deals with the overall misconception the public has about who investigates crimes, how these crimes are investigated, and how evidence is used to determine guilt …show more content…

The inaccuracies with how crimes are investigated and solved on television can become problematic for many reasons. The jury can have misconceptions about what is and is not decent evidence. They could also hold investigators, and the entire legal team, to an unrealistic standard. Therefore, this could potentially lead to cases not receiving necessary guilty verdicts (Ramsland, 2009). In conclusion, while some experts argue that this phenomenon is not something to worry about when it comes to potential juror members, these types of shows will continue to be popular. Therefore, it is important to educate potential jurors about discrepancies within these shows so they can formulate a logical conclusion about the presented

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