Why Crime Shows on TV Are Dangerous for the Public

Our parents taught us never to believe everything we see on TV, but sometimes we have a difficult time separating fantasy from reality. Crime shows on TV are a prime example of this, and if the public believes what they see, future investigations could be compromised. After all, it is the general public -- and not trained professionals -- who sit on juries for criminal trials.

Crime shows on TV are dangerous for the public because they portray a fictional depiction of what actually goes on during criminal investigations. In reality, it is a painstakingly slow process involving dozens of different specialists and investigators as well as hundreds of hours of work. Simple serology tests might take six weeks to come back from the lab, and in 2005, crime laboratories were backlogged by an estimated 750,000 cases. It is important for the public to understand the mechanisms behind forensic investigation so that they can make informed decisions in real life.

Witnesses to Crimes

One way in which crime shows on TV are dangerous for the public is when it comes to witnesses to crimes. If you are pouring yourself a cup of coffee in a convenience store when a robbery occurs, your eyewitness testimony will be valuable to the police. If you come home to find that your wife has been assaulted in your home, how you conduct yourself until the police arrive will be just as important.

A case here in Houston, Texas in 2004 involved a man who came home to find his daughter unconscious on the living room floor. By the way in which her body was positioned and other artifacts surrounding the crime scene, the man correctly guessed that his daughter had been raped. He called the police from his kitchen telephone, then began to place evidence in plastic baggies that he'd procured from his pantry. By the time the police arrived, he'd completely destroyed any physical evidence they might have been able to use later in court.

What people don't understand about crime shows on TV is the chain of custody when it comes to evidence. Before evidence can be admitted at trial, every person who handled that evidence must be documented and accounted for. If a non-professional had access to that evidence, the defense can easily have it thrown out during discovery on the basis that it is unduly prejudicial.

Jury Members

Another way in which crime shows on TV are dangerous for the public is the jury on a criminal trial. When jurors have spent the last few years watching reruns of CSI: Miami, they think they know everything in the world about forensic evidence. This makes the job of the prosecutor (and the defense) much more difficult because they have to work around the preconceived notions of the jurors.

This is further complicated because people who watch crime shows on TV believe that a multitude of evidence should be displayed at trial. In reality, very little evidence is often collected because criminals have become more attuned to forensic evidence and realize that leaving bodily fluids, finger prints and fibers can be a one-way-ticket to Death Row. Jurors are expected to make their decisions based on testimony rather than evidence, which is difficult for many to handle.

Family Members & Loved Ones

Finally, crime shows on TV are dangerous for the public because family members and loved ones of victims expect far too much of forensic and investigative professionals. When you've watched Benson and Stabler or Caine and Delko piece together perfect crimes from various types of evidence, you expect the same quick results when something happens to a loved one.

Medical examiners, police personnel and crime scene investigators are finding that they have to explain to families why things don't progress as smoothly in real life. They are accused of incompetence based on what the public sees on TV, which isn't fair and often hinders the investigation.

It is important for the public to get educated about investigations in real life. Watching crime shows on TV isn't enough, and can actually be harmful. Instead, do your research and find out how investigations are actually conducted by professionals, and you'll find a world of difference.