Comments on: The CSI Effect http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/ The Neat Side of the Web Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:35:09 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bill http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1892480 Bill Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:00:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1892480 A prosecutors duty is to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the scientific tools are available there is absolutely no reason that they should not be expected to use them to prove their case. Numerous studies have shown that eye-witness testimony is spotty and barely reliable and heavy reliance on it in the past (and today) has led to the convictions of a countless number of innocent individuals. I would rather see a guilty party go free due to lack of forensic evidence than see an innocent go to jail under the same circumstances. If liberty is denied to even one individual who does not deserve it the system has failed. A prosecutors duty is to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the scientific tools are available there is absolutely no reason that they should not be expected to use them to prove their case. Numerous studies have shown that eye-witness testimony is spotty and barely reliable and heavy reliance on it in the past (and today) has led to the convictions of a countless number of innocent individuals. I would rather see a guilty party go free due to lack of forensic evidence than see an innocent go to jail under the same circumstances. If liberty is denied to even one individual who does not deserve it the system has failed.

]]> By: SM http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1348321 SM Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:01:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1348321 Personally, I think Robert Blake is a poor example of the "CSI Effect". His wife was villainized in the trial and I don't think the jurors really disagreed with his alleged motives for killing her. The lack of forensic evidence was just an excuse to find him not guilty...IMHO... Personally, I think Robert Blake is a poor example of the "CSI Effect". His wife was villainized in the trial and I don't think the jurors really disagreed with his alleged motives for killing her. The lack of forensic evidence was just an excuse to find him not guilty...IMHO...

]]> By: inquiring minds http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1342325 inquiring minds Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:32:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1342325 I have a friend I met when she was working on her masters in Forensic Science and all these crime shows drove her crazy because of how unrealistic they are. She's obsessed with broadway musicals so I'm fairly sure she can tolerate unrealistic situations. What she despised was the influx of undergrad students coming in with preconceived ideas about the job field as well as those who took it because they thought it was like being the Jocks of the BioNerd World. She made it a rule that none of her students could make any references to these shows during class or in their papers. I have a friend I met when she was working on her masters in Forensic Science and all these crime shows drove her crazy because of how unrealistic they are. She's obsessed with broadway musicals so I'm fairly sure she can tolerate unrealistic situations. What she despised was the influx of undergrad students coming in with preconceived ideas about the job field as well as those who took it because they thought it was like being the Jocks of the BioNerd World. She made it a rule that none of her students could make any references to these shows during class or in their papers.

]]> By: sher http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1327511 sher Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:25:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1327511 ummm I mean entertainment, sorry for the spelling error. ummm I mean entertainment, sorry for the spelling error.

]]> By: sher http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1327508 sher Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:22:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1327508 I don't believe the show was created for the purpose of teaching true forensics. I do believe it was created for intertainment purposes and I think it succeeded. I don't believe the show was created for the purpose of teaching true forensics. I do believe it was created for intertainment purposes and I think it succeeded.

]]> By: SparkS http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1279295 SparkS Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:58:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1279295 Point, Set Match Byrd Brain! Point, Set

Match Byrd Brain!

]]> By: Byrd Brain http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1276834 Byrd Brain Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:04:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1276834 Actually, it means "having to do with the application of scientific knowledge to the law" Actually, it means "having to do with the application of scientific knowledge to the law"

]]> By: David Jackmanson http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1274436 David Jackmanson Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:26:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1274436 Pedantry: "Forensic" does NOT mean "scientific" "Forensic" means "having to do with the law" Pedantry:

"Forensic" does NOT mean "scientific"

"Forensic" means "having to do with the law"

]]> By: Steohawk http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1274331 Steohawk Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:53:55 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1274331 "The main problem caused by the CSI effect: Juries now expect conclusive forensic evidence." This is actually a GOOD thing, because convicting an innocent person is always worse than freeing a guilty person. Jurors have a legal and moral obligation to acquit any person who can't be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Circumstantial evidence, no matter how overwhelming, doesn't constitute proof beyond a reasonable doubt. "The main problem caused by the CSI effect: Juries now expect conclusive forensic evidence."

This is actually a GOOD thing, because convicting an innocent person is always worse than freeing a guilty person. Jurors have a legal and moral obligation to acquit any person who can't be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Circumstantial evidence, no matter how overwhelming, doesn't constitute proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

]]> By: Sofar http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1274281 Sofar Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:42:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1274281 That show just gets cheesier and cheesier but I still watch. That show just gets cheesier and cheesier but I still watch.

]]> By: SparkS http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1274137 SparkS Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:57:34 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1274137 FYI the correct saying is "I COULDN'T care less. When you love someone naturally you could care less. But when your caring for something is as low as it can get then you couldn't care less. Think about it. We now return control of your set to you. FYI the correct saying is "I COULDN'T care less.
When you love someone naturally you could care less.
But when your caring for something is as low as it can get then you couldn't care less. Think about it.

We now return control of your set to you.

]]> By: liphttam1 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1273182 liphttam1 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:04:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1273182 Takw it of the air!! I could care less about a show I don't watch. Besides, I wanna se a riot!! Takw it of the air!! I could care less about a show I don't watch. Besides, I wanna se a riot!!

]]> By: Ellen http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272668 Ellen Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:36:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272668 This article, sadly, hits close to home. In my personal experience, the CSI effect is real. Criminals definitely learn from these shows. However, the guy that said that a show depicting a real crime scene investigation would fail after 3 episodes is wrong. The First 48 on A&E, a reality show about the first 48 hours of a homicide investigation, is authentic and fascinating. This article, sadly, hits close to home. In my personal experience, the CSI effect is real. Criminals definitely learn from these shows.
However, the guy that said that a show depicting a real crime scene investigation would fail after 3 episodes is wrong. The First 48 on A&E, a reality show about the first 48 hours of a homicide investigation, is authentic and fascinating.

]]> By: garbonzo http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272535 garbonzo Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:19:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272535 When my Aunt was in law school, she used to watch Perry Mason and argue the counter points. She would object to his leading the witness, to use of conjecture, and inappropriate courtroom etiquette. She ended up graduating top of her class! When my Aunt was in law school, she used to watch Perry Mason and argue the counter points. She would object to his leading the witness, to use of conjecture, and inappropriate courtroom etiquette. She ended up graduating top of her class!

]]> By: Byrd Brain http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272399 Byrd Brain Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:18:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272399 I have a sister-in-law that worked for the REAL CSI Las Vegas. We stopped mentioning the show around her after the first time... She didn't really care for it- I wonder why? I worked closely with my state police for a while and they had a whole presentation prepared for schools that they visited that gave the harsh reality of what CSI techs really do. And yes, "we don't drive Hummers or wear designer clothes to the investigation" was at the top of the visual aid. I stopped watching these shows once the plots became too neat, clean, and contrived. I have a sister-in-law that worked for the REAL CSI Las Vegas. We stopped mentioning the show around her after the first time... She didn't really care for it- I wonder why?

I worked closely with my state police for a while and they had a whole presentation prepared for schools that they visited that gave the harsh reality of what CSI techs really do. And yes, "we don't drive Hummers or wear designer clothes to the investigation" was at the top of the visual aid.

I stopped watching these shows once the plots became too neat, clean, and contrived.

]]> By: Edward http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272396 Edward Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:16:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272396 I might be in the minority, but I think that a skeptical jury is good for every one. Most erroneous convictions occur when there is nothing but the testimony of witnesses. Requiring physical evidence to corroborate that testimony is a good thing. I might be in the minority, but I think that a skeptical jury is good for every one. Most erroneous convictions occur when there is nothing but the testimony of witnesses. Requiring physical evidence to corroborate that testimony is a good thing.

]]> By: Justin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272377 Justin Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:56:22 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272377 Great read thanks. I had never heard of the Perry Mason effect until now. Great read thanks. I had never heard of the Perry Mason effect until now.

]]> By: Absent http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272373 Absent Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:44:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272373 I remember one episode of Law & Order where the detectives were slagging off CSI officers saying something like "they think they're detectives but they're really just lab geeks, they should leave the detective work to the detectives". I remember one episode of Law & Order where the detectives were slagging off CSI officers saying something like "they think they're detectives but they're really just lab geeks, they should leave the detective work to the detectives".

]]> By: Edwin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1272366 Edwin Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:17:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1272366 I would say the worst case scenario is convicting someone that is innocent. Second worst case is convicting a guilty party go that broke a bad law. Then the third worst case is letting a guilty party go. I would say the worst case scenario is convicting someone that is innocent. Second worst case is convicting a guilty party go that broke a bad law. Then the third worst case is letting a guilty party go.

]]> By: Evilbeagle http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1271960 Evilbeagle Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:26:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1271960 Interesting post! I do find it funny that people actually expect these shows to be so close to reality. Watching the Crime Investigation channel for a few hours should cure people of many misconceptions surrounding police procedure, DNA, etc... Interesting post! I do find it funny that people actually expect these shows to be so close to reality. Watching the Crime Investigation channel for a few hours should cure people of many misconceptions surrounding police procedure, DNA, etc...

]]> By: SparkS http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/16/the-csi-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1271957 SparkS Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:16:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=21439#comment-1271957 I should have known you'd be a BRI fan. Actually I figured that out some time ago. I recently bought 6 BRI volumes I hadn't read. Interesting post also. I should have known you'd be a BRI fan. Actually I figured that out some time ago. I recently bought
6 BRI volumes I hadn't read.

Interesting post also.

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