The Positive Effects of CSI Across the Nation

Much ado has been made on the hazards of shows such as the CSI franchise. Scientists and prosecutors are in an uproar over the many liberties taken by the show fit the episode into the hour time slot. Scientists say that the show leaves out the ever present lab nemesis, human error. Prosecutors say that their cases are being affected by juries who are looking for an abundance of evidence, or the venerable smoking gun. Despite the many complaints, there have been two areas in which the show has made a positive effect.

The first and most prominent recipients of the CSI effect are the forensic science programs in universities nationwide. Across the country, forensic science departments are being inundated by applications from students who have an interest in the field as a result of watching the shows. Lectures on forensic medicine, which were once empty enough to fly a jet through, are now filled to capacity. Many students are even turned away from the events. One university reported more than ninety applications for a forensic master's program that had slots for only ten students. Students are flocking to the fielding droves.

The other proud beneficiaries of the CSI effect are defense attorneys in courtrooms all over the U.S. They flaunt the mounds of evidence found in the shows against prosecutor's case built on circumstantial evidence. Jurors don't realize that DNA and fingerprints are not available in all cases. When they are, the evidence might still be tainted due to human error or deterioration. In one case, the jury found a garment of the defendant's that wasn't tested for DNA. They wanted to place the defendant at the crime with the garment. The jury alerted the judge who instructed them to read the trial transcripts. The DNA wasn't needed, because the defendant already admitted to being at the crime scene.

Despite even the good side effects of the show, CSI has made changes to the field of forensic science, maybe for good. The defense tactics have given rise to a new type of expert witness-the negative evidence witness. This expert is usually hired to explain to a jury how-in reality-mountains of evidence are not produced from a crime scene. DNA evidence, which used to put the jury to sleep, now has them on the edge of their seats. Outside of the courtroom, the new interest in forensics has created a new position for techs, that of crime scene technical advisor. The profession is enjoying its heyday, despite the outcry from critics.