There have been a number of spin offs, and most media scholars agree that the franchise has brought new interest into both factual and fictional material on forensic science. The popularity of the material resulted in a 33% increase in undergraduates wanting to study forensics (Byers, 2009)
Many investigators believe that this is because crime shows explain how criminals can conceal or destroy evidence. In fact, many rape victims report that their assailants forced them to shower or use bleach or Lysol to clean themselves after the assault, ostensibly to remove evidence (Durnal, 2010)
). Taking advantage of the hype in the SCI phenomenon, though, many universities are now offering undergraduate degrees in Criminal Forensics or even CSI Techniques leaving them, as one police administrator noted, quite unprepared and undertrained for real-world forensic work (Hallcox, 2006; Police Chief Criticizes Forensic Courses, 2003)
On the other hand, just as science fiction helped spur technological development, techniques from crime shows often spur innovations that do help solve crime. For instance, in 2006, IBM joined with the Memphis Police Department to develop software that would help predict crime locations so officers could be stationed near -- all as an idea from the 2002 science fiction film Minority Report (Heusner, 2010)
In fact, as technology continues to improve, and more and more viewers tune into the CSI series and its spin-offs, there is an evolving higher expectation for the robustness and accuracy of forensic technology. Other research shows that prosecutors can usually overcome most of the questions from the jury who may know a bit about certain forensic terminology, but do understand the difference between television and reality (Lillard, 2006)
Two scientists of the time, Dr. Joseph Bell at the Edinburg Royal Infirmary and Sir Henry Little-John, from the Royal College of Surgeons, are cited as sources for Holmes and his techniques, particularly those involving the new sciences of chemical analysis and fingerprinting (Lycett, 2007, 53-4)
Indeed, "prosecutors and defense attorneys alike can only cringe at the thought that while justice may be blind…. It also manages to tune in to CSI" (Mann, 2006)
To do this, often super computers and tests are involved; DNA testing or spectrographic analysis that yields full-color, very attractive graphs or answers at the flip of a switch. And, of course, what the computers do not tell the crew, usually Mac Taylor (CSI: NY) or Gil Grissom (CSI: Las Vegas) or a staff member knows, typically from an obscure journal or case file (Shelton)
That holds true even over very long distances, no matter what is being sent. Wide area networks and local area networks can be used for the transmission of data, and that same data can also just be sent over the Internet (Oppenheimer & Patterson, 2002)
As further testament to its popularity, the program has spawned a number of spin-offs, and can now be seen on cable and in syndication." (Podlas, "Teaching to Avoid the 'CSI Effect' -- Keeping the Science in Forensic Science," Page 432) Audiences enjoy the program for several reasons
There are many kinds of evidence that on the show, immediately secure a conviction, yet in real life, are open to multiple interpretations. (Roane, "The CSI Effect -- On TV it's all slam-dunk evidence and quick convictions
Sometimes, a video is needed. Investigators often work in zones, or in grids, to make sure that every inch was covered (Layton, n
Therefore, defense attorneys have been using the CSI effect in their favor, by suggesting to the jury that there were not enough fingerprints at the scene of the crime, or that the blood spatter evidence was inconclusive, in order to sway the jury. Research shows that "some televised depictions of law enforcement can influence people's beliefs about the legal system," and the CSI effect may indeed be leading to "an epidemic of unjustified acquittals," (Podlas, 2007)
Reagan (2009) offers several examples of when forensic science fails, and why people should not take shows like CSI as seriously as they do. With the exception of DNA evidence, " there is not a single forensic discipline that has been proven 'with a high degree of certainty' to be able to match a piece of evidence to a suspect" (Reagan, 2009)
As many as "200,000-300,000 backlogged DNA samples in U.S. labs" alone have been cited (Rincon, 2005)
The supervisory roles, like those of lead characters played by Ted Danson and Elisabeth Shue are the most notably managerial in nature. With the possible exception that most "CSIs don't wear high heels to crime scenes," the people themselves are fairly accurate portraits of the type of work performed by forensic scientists working on specific crimes (Stanton, 2009)
For example, the counselor might coach Jane in communication techniques that would allow her to more effectively voice her needs to her parents. Autonomy in decision making regarding health issues is a set of skills that develops as part of self-care agency and adolescence is an important time to begin fostering this autonomy; yet providing health promoting care to adolescents must occur in the context of developmental considerations, legal concerns, and ethical principles (Dickey & Deatrick, 2000)
The decision will largely rest between deciding whether autonomy or beneficence will have greater weighting among the patient and her family. Autonomy is the principle that addresses the concept of independence and the individual freedom of choice and action (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996)