More than Just a Show: The Cultural Effects of CSI

So it has a following of millions of fans and has been granted the title of world’s most popular television show, but there is more to this TV drama about homicide investigations that just prestigious awards and great ratings.  Having been a strong primetime presence for the last decade, it’s a great time to reflect on how CSI has changed our culture besides just adding a popular new evening program.

                Many critics of the show have discussed the problems of what has become known as “the CSI effect.”  Because each crime on the show is solved in just one, occasionally two, episodes, the entire  focus of the team is that one incident, and forensic processes that may take days or weeks appear to be performed momentarily.  This has created some issues in the courtrooms with juries who perceive the forensic evidence process to occur this rapidly and therefore expect every case to have irrefutable evidence for an easy conviction.  This unrealistic expectation can be frustrating, but it can also put the pressure on the system to step up their game in this department.  Shows like CSI are being credited with the recent increase in the number of individuals entering into the fields of forensic and archaeological science.