The document discusses the concept of the "CSI effect", where exposure to crime TV shows influences how jurors interpret and rely on forensic evidence in criminal trials. Watching these shows can cause pro-defense bias if real evidence does not meet elevated expectations. It can also lead to unnecessary forensic tests, backlogs in labs, and fabricated results. Prosecutors may try to exclude jurors who have watched a lot of crime shows. Additionally, broadcasting how crimes are investigated on TV makes it harder for police to track and trace criminals, as it teaches them how to evade detection.

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Running Head: CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology
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Running Head: CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology
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Ever watched a program where a character is killed or raped or even both? A lot of
investigations go about the program to establish who, how and where the incident occurred. In
such an investigation, investigators perform both physical and chemical analyses on the physical
evidence in the crime scene to help get a solution to the crime. The exposure of forensic science
to the viewers through television programs to the point of raising the jurors’ expectations
regarding forensic science and influencing the verdict they give when the evidence provided
does not meet their expectations is what is termed as CSI effect. The jurors tend to believe that
they understand how the investigators collected,
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analyzed and interpreted the
evidence from the crime scene.
From research done it is evident that CSI effect can possibly cause pro-defense bias, in
the courtroom in less occasions do jurors convict a suspect without the availability of forensic
evidence. Additionally, people involved in acting in the criminal justice system do carry out their
operations as if is a real happening and not a simulated act. As a result, a lot of unnecessary tests
and work is completed to overcome any biases that may be suspected. Misinterpretations of
forensic evidence and examinations that ate not necessary causes a lot of problems to the
criminal justice system at large. jurors who watch television programs that are crime and forensic
oriented are greatly affected when it comes to giving verdict because their verdict will be based
on the preconceptions and not on the facts that are presented in the trial. This outside influence

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Running Head: CRIMINOLOGY
will lead to jurors’ bias in pronouncing their verdict. With such kind of bias a criminal may walk
out free while an innocent person may be convicted for an offence that he did not commit.
In addition to biased judgment, a lot of forensic examination on collected evidence
creates a backlog of tests in the forensic labs. This intern may lead to the technicians in the lab to
fabricate results so as to meet the demands that are on the increase. From the unreasonable
requests, it is easy for the technicians to also perpetuate unrealistic expectations of forensic
evidence. When prosecutors perceive the jurors to have a weak effect, they may attempt to
exclude jurors who are deemed to have watched a lot of CSI. For example in research done to
establish prosecutor’s perception on the CSI effect, a half of the district attorneys that took part
in the study in New York believed that presence of CSI effect can be felt in the courtroom. Most
of them agreed that they have experienced a trial that the juror had expectations that forensic
evidence shall be provided.
The police are not left out in the CSI effect. Another consequence of watching this
programs is the difficulty that the police face when tracking and tracing criminals. Airing of
these programs teaches criminals how to get away with crimes by evading detection. Crime and
forensic science is popularized and thus making it difficult for the police to get the criminals.
Therefore, it can be concluded that watching fictional programs can change the way jurors give
interpretations to evidences provided in the courtroom and hence impacting their ultimate verdict
in criminal proceedings.

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Running Head: CRIMINOLOGY

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Running Head: CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology