The Idea Of CSI Effect Explained

The “CSI Effect” has been described as “popular TV crime dramas that focus on forensic science, may affect the behavior and expectations of jurors in real-life cases. The theory also suggests that jurors’ perceptions of the need for specific forensic evidence may impact their decisions in the courtroom. (NFSTC)” The definition in a simpler state would be the jury is influenced in the court, because of the CSI shows they watch which are fiction. From the information I have gathered the CSI Effect has been in effect since the early 2000s, when many shows like CSI and different knock offs have been aired. CSI came out in 2003 and is the fourth most popular show in 2019 according to variety.com and it proves how popular the series is, to be around for 16 years after the first episode and still beats out new shows from recent years.

One of the major outlets for exposure is the news, the news impacts everyone on a daily basis. A great current event that is sweeping every major and minor news outlet is the Amber Guyger trial, and anyone and everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock knows every detail about it. This is a great example, first different media outlets have released the information in various ways, and this is a very controversial subject due to the fact that the victim is an African American male and the cop, Amber Guyger, is white. So everyone who has heard about the trial has had who they think is innocent or guilty, or has to be sentenced for however many years. If one or multiple of those said people were to be on that specific jury it would alter the case in a way. This can happen with any case because a person will have already formed an opinion before hand.

Another main outlet is television shows, shows like CSI, NCIS, Law & Order, Dateline and the list goes on and on. These type of shows are not 100% true on what happens in everyday crime and court. These shows are solely use for entertainment and ratings. CSI could care less if someone came into a courthouse and killed a testimonial speaker and got away as long as it produces better ratings and keeps the viewer interested. That would not happen in the real world, it gives a sort of false home to a person who has to go to jury duty for a day or week. Thy are expecting it to be like CSI instead its about a normal guy trying to waive a speeding ticket.

The CSI Effect has been popularized in media since the crime based television shows have aired, and many attorneys have been changing their tactics to try to appeal to this type of audience. In the end the attorney has to appeal to the jury so studying how they would think with the CSI Effect would help their case if it ever came down to it. Now not all the time does the CSI effect take place, I believe it takes place more in big widespread cases than the little ones. I know it does because of all the coverage it gets and if the attorney does not appeal to the jury who have been brainwashed by the media then they will walk into a battle that has already been lost.

In conclusion, the CSI Effect is real, and television shows and news outlets influence people in the courtroom, because everyone forms an opinion and appeals to someone they like. Whether it be race, ethnicity, sex, your brain is focused on them because they appeal to you. It is so hard to change that opinion when your brain is set in stone, and there is a formed image of how it should go down in someone’s head who relates to the case in the courtroom. I believe that the CSI Effect is real and does in fact affect people’s view in the courtroom jury.