Forensics In Real Criminal Cases

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High profile cases, flawless police work, and only the most up to date technology, these traits every reality crime show such as CSI or Criminal Minds portray. While it is no surprise that this type of television show is among the most popular, the viewers are beginning to develop a skewed perspective of forensics in the real world. This new mindset is changing more than just the way people perceive science. The misunderstanding of science and technology has begun to lead to issues in the courtroom in real criminal trials. Jurors influenced by the appearance of perfect investigative science are demanding extensive testing that is unnecessary and extremely costly. Reality crime shows heighten juror expectations and force law enforcement officers …show more content…

That being said, the information collected from a crime scene will not be the same for every case, nor should jurors expect the same things from each individual situation. Aside from clothing, bodily fluids, etc. eye witness testimony is another type of affirmation used when trying to solve a crime. The testimony of someone who claims to have seen something can be very beneficial, but more often than not is an inaccurate description of what actually happened. “In a survey of 1,027 Michigan prospective jurors, Shelton. Kim and Barak found that 46% of summoned jurors expected to see some kind of scientific evidence as part of the prosecution’s case” (Smith & Stinson & Patry 5). The contingency of all cases having something that could be forensically tested is unfathomable. Even in a situation where evidence is found that could be checked for DNA or fluids, it may not be needed to make a solid conviction. “In a recent case, a man was acquitted for the stabbing of his girlfriend. The victim survived the incident and was testifying against her attacker. She has been found in her own bed, the sheets soaked in blood, yet the jury still felt that the sheets should’ve been tested for DNA” (Van Zandt 2). In the situation where a victim has been found in their own home, forensic testing shouldn’t be required …show more content…

Perceived realism occurs when someone thinks that they know everything about a specific topic because of what they have seen or heard through the media and other people. After research “the findings with regards to frequency and perceived realism also may accord with earlier findings reported by Schweitzer and Saks (2007). In their study, participants who watched forensic science television rated themselves as having a greater understanding of forensic science, resulting in a more critical evaluation of forensic science” (Maeder & Corbett 100). While it is very possible that one can gain knowledge of police and forensic work through the media it is rather unrealistic for anyone to believe that, that information will be 100% accurate. A study done at an Australian University said “It is suggested that jurors confuse the capacity of forensic evidence with the fictional idealization of forensic evidence as portrayed on television programs” (Weaver & Salamonson & Koch & Porter 1). As time goes on it is becoming ever so obvious that crime television is causing ridiculous expectations in the

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