Kaci Dilday
Essential Question

Do shows like CSI have a negative
influence on peoples’ interpretation of
the criminal justice system?

Conclusion: Yes, viewers do not
distinguish the difference between
television and reality.

The CSI effect is defined as any of several ways in
which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on
crime television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation influences public perception.

The CSI effect is caused by people believing the things
that they see on television. Shows like CSI, NCIS, or
Law and Order, use over the top methods of finding
evidence and investigating as a way of grabbing the
attention of viewers.


Due to people believing everything is as easy as on TV, jurors are
demanding more evidence in criminal trials and raising the
standard of proof for prosecutors. Viewers of the crime scene
shows put a lower value on circumstantial evidence and demand
physical proof, proof that doesn’t always exist.
Since crime scene shows have become more popular, there has
been a great increase in the amount of people interested in
studying forensic science. These people are quick to learn that
everything is not as it appears on television.
CSI



Fingerprints are
everywhere.
DNA takes minutes to
process.
Investigators don’t have
to wait for warrants.
REAL LIFE



Fingerprints are hard to
come by at a crime
scene.
DNA can take weeks to
process.
Investigators must obtain
a warrant before making
an arrest or searching a
scene.
CSI

Chaotic crime scenes.

No tedious paperwork.
One person does many
jobs.
Use the term “match.”


REAL LIFE




Crime scenes are a
controlled environment.
Paperwork has to be
proper for case to stand
strong in court.
Jobs are split between
multiple people.
Less definite terms.
CSI

Characters on
television use the term
“match” to describe a
definitive relationship
between two pieces of
evidence.
REAL LIFE

Forensic technicians
tend to use terms that
are less definite to
acknowledge that
absolute certainty is
often not possible.
Product Evaluation
This project gave me a better insight to
the criminal justice system and how it
works.
 I learned how to research and write a
paper as well as how to speak in front of
a large group of people under pressure.
