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.