CSI- Fact vs Fiction

8/3/2019 CSI- Fact vs Fiction

1/12

Crime Scene

InvestigationFact VS Fiction

By Niki Tziraki


2/12

What is Forensic Science?

Forensic science literally means science

associated with the legal system. It is the

use of scientific methods such as fingerprint

analysis and ballistics in order to discoverinformation about a case. Forensics have

been made popular by TV shows such as CSI,

which show people working in labs at rapidspeeds using technology not yet invented.

What differences are there between real life

and TV in the field of Forensics?


3/12

Usable Evidence at a Crime Scene

Real life:

Only 5% to 10% of all US

cases have evidence that

can be used. Collecting

evidence can take several

hours, as the CSI officers

need to seal the crime

scene, mark the evidenceon a grid and carefully

photograph it.

On CSI:

100% of all cases have

usable evidence. The CSI

officers spent minimum

time collecting evidence

and concrete evidence is

usually noticed

accidentally by one ofthe main characters.


4/12

Analysis of DNA Samples

Real life:

Processing DNA samples

can take from a few

weeks to several months,

depending on the quality

of the samples.

Toxicological testing is a

delicate process thatrequires a lot of time and

effort. The results can

take days to become

available.

On CSI:

All blood and print

analysis results are

available at approximately

33 seconds. Toxicological

testing takes less than 5

minutes.


5/12

Scientists required to process a

DNA

sampleReal life:

A DNA sample can pass

through anywhere from

two to ten people. Tests

might need to be

performed multiple times

in order to be verified.

On CSI:

Valid DNA analysis only

requires one person.


6/12

Conclusiveness of Forensic tests

Real life:

Only 30% of all US cases

DNA-relate evidence that

has ties to another case.

On CSI:

100% of all cases have

conclusive evidence that

can be used to track

down a criminal.


7/12

CO.D.I.S.

(Combined DNA

Index System)Real life:

The U.S. CO.D.I.S.

contains 3.3 million DNA

samples from convicted

offenders (as of 2006).

On CSI:

The Combined DNA Index

System has DNA samples

from the entire U.S.

population (312 million

people).


8/12

CS Investigators

Real life:

According to Police

Sergeant Stephen Miller,

in Miami, 29 well-trained

CSI investigators are a

cohesive unit.

On CSI:

Officers discuss cases,

cooperate and can be

seen socializing as well.

CSI is close to reality in

this case.


9/12

CSI Personnel Duties

Real life:

Do not CSI personnel do

not interview suspects or

make arrests. They

investigate the crime

scene, gather evidence

and experts in toxicology,

ballistics, medicalexamination and other

disciplines perform tests

to analyze the evidence.

On CSI:

Forensic officers can

often be seen taking part

in raids and other parts of

the investigation that

have nothing to do with

the crime scene. They can

usually be seen drivingHummers.


10/12

Eyes open, mouth shut, hands in

pockets.Real life:

Crime scene investigators

follow specific

instructions when

examining a scene: Eyes

open, mouth shut,

hands in pockets.. They

do so in order to do

their job in the best way

possible.

On CSI:

The investigators loosely

examine the place where

the body was found and

they interact with

witnesses and they touch

things, usually without

latex gloves on.


11/12

Fact VS. Fiction

A Crime Scene Officers job is hard and

demanding but its character often altered in

television shows. Through the use of

impossibly advanced technology analysis is

made to look easier than it really is, while a

CSIs duties are complicated by irrelevant

participations in raids and questioning.Because of such events, CSI-related shows do

not portray the true image of Forensic science.


12/12

Bibliography

Innes, Brian. Crime and Detection: Forensic Science.

Broomall, Mason Crest Publishers, 2005

Bowers, Vivien. Crime Science. Toronto, Greey de

Pencier Book Inc., 1997

The CSI Effect ForensicScience.net. 2010

http://www.forensicscience.net/csi-effect-infographic

Warrington, Dick. Back to Basics ForensicMagazineAugust 5, 2011.

http://www.forensicmag.com/article/back-basics

Documents

CSI- Fact vs Fiction