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The fact in the fiction: An examination of perception vs. reality in the field of
forensic anthropology, and the ‘CSI effect’ By: Jayne O’Connor, Department of Anthropology
Advisors: Dr. Joyce Sirianni & Dr. Peter Biehl ABSTRACT
Television has a demonstrated impact on the way we perceive and
understand the things with which we are unfamiliar. This research
examines the impact of watching crime shows on jurors and the public,
and how watching television portrayals may affect these jurors and the
public’s understanding of forensic science, specifically forensic
anthropology, and the role it plays in court proceedings. This research
analyzes the stereotypes and misconceptions that result from learning
about the field through shows like Bones and CSI, compares them to the
realities of the field, and examines the way in which those stereotypes
may influence jurors’ expectations and decisions in a trial setting.
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY AND FORENSIC SCIENCE ON TV
Crime shows dominate primetime ratings, evidencing the widespread
impact of these shows on the American public. Millions of viewers watch
crime shows every week, and many claim these shows as their main,
sometimes only, source of information on forensic science and forensic
anthropology. These shows may lead viewers to believe forensic science
is more accurate and accessible than it really is, and may cause jurors to
put too much emphasis on forensic evidence at trial.
Out of 104 survey respondents:
• 68% listed TV as a
source of information
about forensic
anthropology
• 52% listed TV as their
only source of information
•NCIS has been named America’s
#1 show since 2009
• NCIS averaged more viewers in
the 2012-13 season than the Super
Bowl (21.48 million)
• CSI has been named the most-
watched show in the world five
times, most recently in 2012
METHODS AND RESULTS I created a survey to gather data on crime show viewership and expectations for forensic
evidence in criminal trials, using both people who had previously served on a jury, and
those who have not been jurors. The survey received 117 responses from people across
the United States. 87% were female, and 89% reported either some college, completed
college, or an advanced degree.
Those who had previous jury experience (both
civil and criminal) were asked how much
evidence they expected to see before the trial
began.
Those who have not served on a jury were asked
how much evidence they would expect to see in a
criminal trial.
Survey responses tended toward less familiarity with forensic
anthropology, and higher expectations of the role forensic
evidence at trial.
CONCLUSIONS There are many sources of information about the criminal
justice system and forensic science. It is impossible to point
to a single facet of the media and credit it with causing a
fundamental change in juror behavior and expectations.
Jurors may be influenced by the news media, by
technology, and even by attorneys who warn juries of the
CSI Effect before a trial.
However, it does appear that the CSI Effect affects
attorneys, police, and criminals more than it does jurors.
Criminals use techniques from crime shows to destroy
evidence, police collect more physical evidence, and
attorneys consider television viewing habits when choosing
juries. Further study should be done to determine how
crime shows impact the rest of the criminal justice system.
REFERENCES Associated Press. (1996, October 18). List of the evidence in the o.j. simpson double-murder trial. USA Today. Retrieved from
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/index/nns25.htm
Bibel, S. (2012, June 14). 'csi: crime scene investigation' is the most-watched show in the world. TV by the Numbers, Retrieved
from http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/14/csi-crime-scene-investigation-is-the-most-
watched-show-in-the-world-2/138212/
Ford, J. (2011, July 13). Interview by Tuchman G. [Video Tape Recording]. Anthony juror: We didn't buy drowning., CNN.,
Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/video/
Gast, P. (2011, July 6). Analysts: Anthony jury troubled by no cause of death, other factors. CNN. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/07/05/florida.casey.anthony.legal/index.html
Jones, T. L. (2011). the murder trial of o.j. simpson. Crime Library, Retrieved from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/
notorious_murders/famous/simpson/index_1.html
Kondolojy, A. (2013, Feb 21). Ncis renewed by cbs for 11th season. TV by the Numbers, Retrieved from http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/01/ncis-renewed-by-cbs/167648/ Nanji, A. (2009, Feb 11). Prosecutors feel the 'csi effect'. CBS Evening News, Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/ 2005/02/10/eveningnews/main673060.shtml Ramsland, K. (2013). The c.s.i. syndrome. Crime Library, 1-13. Retrieved from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/ criminal_mind/psychology/csi_effect/2.html Romano, T. (2011). The murder trial of casey anthony. Crime Library, Retrieved from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/ notorious_murders/classics/casey-anthony-trial/closing-arguments.html?link=obinsite
CASE STUDIES The O.J. Simpson and Casey Anthony murder cases act as two
unusually high-profile cases demonstrating the role that forensic
evidence played at trial, both before and after the CSI
phenomenon began. The defense in the O.J. Simpson case
fought against a mountain of forensic evidence by taking
advantage of the fact that jury had very little knowledge of what
forensic evidence was, and the role it played in solving the
murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Casey Anthony’s defense team took advantage of the fact that
the medical examiner could not determine cause of Anthony’s
daughter’s death. The defense team exploited this uncertainty to
create reasonable doubt that a homicide actually occurred. The
Anthony defense exploited the crime show fantasy of a case
based entirely on unimpeachable forensic evidence, basing their
defense on the fact that the prosecution presented an almost
entirely circumstantial case. This was not enough to convince a
jury that would only be satisfied by hard evidence.
WHAT IS A CRIME SHOW? A crime show, or crime procedural, follows a generalized format
that can be used to describe television programs like CSI. These
shows are characterized by the following: a murder or other
serious crime takes place, and a team of forensic experts is called
to investigate. The team, a group of highly skilled generalists,
centers its investigation around abundant forensic evidence, and
uses things like DNA to follow leads. Each episode ends with an
arrest, and usually a confession, neatly wrapping up even the most
complex crime in under an hour.