16 Facts About CSI effect

CSI effect, known as the CSI syndrome and the CSI infection, is 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 term was first reported in a 2004 USA Today article describing the CSI effect being made on trial jurors by television programs featuring forensic science.

CSI effect is named for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a television program which first aired in 2000.

The "CSI effect" has been associated with drama and true crime television series that preceded CSI, such as American Justice, Cold Case Files, Cold Squad, Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science, Forensic Files, Silent Witness, Waking the Dead; and others that followed, including Bones, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Crossing Jordan, NCIS, Numb3rs, Wire in the Blood, and Without a Trace.

Anthony E Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise, claimed that "all of the science is accurate" on the shows; researchers have described CSI portrayal of forensic science as "high-tech magic".

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Zuiker has stated that 'The CSI Effect' is, in my opinion, the most amazing thing that has ever come out of the series.

CSI effect is described by researchers N J Schweiter and Michael J Saks as a reference to the alleged phenomenon of CSI raising crime victims' and jury members' real-world expectations of forensic science, especially crime scene investigation and DNA testing.

In 2006, the evidence cited in support of the supposed CSI effect was mainly anecdotes from law enforcement personnel and prosecutors, and allegedly little empirical examination of the CSI effect had been done, and the one study published by then suggested the phenomenon may be an urban myth.

The CSI effect is hypothesized to affect verdicts in two main ways: first, that jurors expect more forensic evidence than is available or necessary, resulting in a higher rate of acquittal when such evidence is absent; and second, that jurors have greater confidence in forensic and particularly DNA evidence than is warranted, resulting in a higher rate of conviction when such evidence is present.

One of the largest empirical studies of the CSI effect was undertaken in 2006 by Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Donald Shelton and two researchers from Eastern Michigan University.

CSI effect'slton described one instance in which a jury member complained because the prosecution had not dusted the lawn for fingerprints, a procedure which is impossible and had not been demonstrated on any crime show.

Many stories about the CSI effect assume that there has been an increase in acquittal rates, though this is often based entirely on anecdotal evidence.

CSI effect has influenced the manner in which forensic scientists are educated and trained.

However, the popularity of programs such as CSI effect has caused an increase in the demand for undergraduate courses and graduate programs in forensic science.

CSI effect was only caught after one of his victims deliberately pulled out her own hair which was later discovered in his car, tying him to the attacks.

CSI effect's was inspired by watching the CSI television series.