Media, Crime: An Investigation into the CSI Effect

The CSI Effect is the belief that popular television programs like CSI and other shows about law, crime, and forensics impact real-world perceptions of criminal justice. Claims of the CSI Effect indicate that these programs 1) Teach criminals forensic techniques helpful for avoiding capture 2) Generate misconceptions about crime investigation and 3) Skew juror expectations about forensic evidence resulting in tainted verdicts. This book offers a conceptual understanding of how the alleged CSI Effect phenomenon could occur by exploring sociocultural mechanisms related to media and crime, specifically the impact of crime genre television on public understandings of forensic science and criminal justice. This analysis includes commentary about the CSI Effect from forensic scientists, law enforcement, legal professionals, and those in academic and criminal justice professions. The book contains useful insight for individuals who watch TV shows about crime and law, those concerned with the role of media in justice, law enforcement officials, legal professionals, and academics in criminology, law, forensic science, journalism, media, sociology, psychology, and other related fields.