Field of study is Sociology of Forensic Sciences and Technologies;
Forensic sciences in the media – The CSI effect and beyond
This lecture describes media portrayal of forensic sciences in real life and fictional cases. There has been much (probably too much) media interest in the fictional portrayal of forensic science in popular crime shows such as CSI, where it has been argued that CSI may have an effect on jury decisions. There is now a substantial literature on the CSI effect . However, at least since the time of Conan Doyle s Sherlock Holmes, the fictional forensic detective has been hugely influential in our cultural imagination We review an analysis of this literature and research on the supposed effect. In addition to the effects of fictional portrayals of forensic sciences the lecture explores wider media effects e.g. beliefs as to the power of DNA analysis amongst the public and amongst prison populations.
Lecture and Seminar Readings
Core Reading
G. Cavender, G. and S.K. Deutsch (2007) CSI and moral authority: The police and science, Crime, Media, Culture, 3(1), 67-81. (To be posted on Blackboard)
S.A. Cole, S. A. and R. Diosa-Villa (2007) CSI and its effects: Media, juries and the burden of proof, New England Law Review, 41, 435-470. Available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1023258 (Click on Download then click on SSRN)
M.D. Mann (2006) The CSI Effect: Better Jurors through television and science?, Berkeley Electronic Press Legal Repository. Available at http://law.bepress.com/expresso/eps/1430
K. Podlas, (2006) The CSI Effect: Exposing the media myth, Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal, 16, 429-465. Available at http://law.fordham.edu/publications/articles/200flspub5906.pdf
Supplementary Reading
B. Prainsack, and M. Kitzberger (2009) DNA Behind Bars: Other Ways of Knowing Forensic DNA Technologies , Social Studies of Science, 39, 51-79. (To be posted on Blackboard)
Is there evidence for a CSI effect and, if so, what form(s) does it take?
this is all information from handbook. and i want from you to focus more on answering the question
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