CSI: Reality

Houck, Max M.

doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0706-84

Cited by 56 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…Viewed in the light of social cognitive theory, our results may also provide a basis for speculations that CSI has contributed to growing public interest in forensic science programs Dioso-Villa, 2007, 2008;Houck, 2006;Lee, 2007;Lovgren, 2004). Much of the show's DNA-related content cast forensic scientists as attractive behavioral models.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Investigating CSI: Portrayals of DNA testing on a forensic crime show and their potential effects

Ley¹,

Jankowski²,

Brewer³

2010

Public Underst Sci

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The popularity of forensic crime shows such as CSI has fueled debate about their potential social impact. This study considers CSI's potential effects on public understandings regarding DNA testing in the context of judicial processes, the policy debates surrounding crime laboratory procedures, and the forensic science profession, as well as an effect not discussed in previous accounts: namely, the show's potential impact on public understandings of DNA and genetics more generally. To develop a theoretical foundation for research on the "CSI effect," it draws on cultivation theory, social cognitive theory, and audience reception studies. It then uses content analysis and textual analysis to illuminate how the show depicts DNA testing. The results demonstrate that CSI tends to depict DNA testing as routine, swift, useful, and reliable and that it echoes broader discourses about genetics. At times, however, the show suggests more complex ways of thinking about DNA testing and genetics.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Investigating CSI: Portrayals of DNA testing on a forensic crime show and their potential effects

Ley¹,

Jankowski²,

Brewer³

2010

Public Underst Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Second, TV as a source is not fully trusted: it's 'only' TV, after all, and our respondents have a good understanding that life is not like on TV in many regards. The combination of fascination with high technology featured in TV series on the one hand, and the awareness that not only the plot but also the techniques and technologies shown in such series were not entirely 'real' on the other (see also Houck, 2006), is reflected in Quentin's quote:…”

Section: Antonmentioning

confidence: 93%

DNA Behind Bars

Prainsack

Kitzberger

2009

Soc Stud Sci

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This paper explores 'other' ways of knowing DNA in the field of criminal investigation. Drawing upon 26 in-depth interviews with prisoners in Austria, it illustrates how this group knows and conceptualizes DNA traces and forensic DNA technologies. These understandings and conceptualizations are both nuanced and ambiguous. While on the one hand, DNA traces and forensic DNA technologies were not treated as categorically different from other types of traces and technologies in the prisoners' accounts, they were seen as 'unique' in one respect: respondents experienced DNA traces as beyond their control because they were virtually impossible to avoid (in contrast to, for example, fingerprints). Furthermore, the scientific rigour that our interviewees assumed to underpin forensic DNA technologies rendered these technologies as impenetrable and intimidating, and as effectively challenging many offenders' expert knowledge on how to manage crime scenes and avoid convictions. Finally, due to coming 'from the inside' of the body, forensic DNA technologies were seen as 'deepening' the stigma of delinquency in many of our interviewees' bodies and selves. For our interviewees, forensic DNA technologies assumed the role of institutionalized memories of their delinquency.

show abstract

“…1 Educational course offerings and science activities have followed this popularity trend at all levels of instruction. The revelation of latent fingerprints is one of few forensic science activities that is unique to forensic science and not an adaptation of common scientific techniques to law enforcement such as the identification and quantitation of illegal substances.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activities Designed for Fingerprint Dusting and the Chemical Revelation of Latent Fingerprints

Friesen

2014

J. Chem. Educ.

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This article describes two different latent fingerprint revelation activities that have similar organization structures and pedagogy methodologies. The two activities feature the use of multiple stations to allow students to test, compare, and contrast different fingerprint revelation techniques. Both activities adopt a structured-inquiry pedagogical methodology that invites students to form their own opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each technique. Fingerprint dusting techniques are more accessible because there is less need for fume hoods and protective safety equipment. The chemical revelation of latent prints techniques are more suited for a laboratory environment where fume hoods and protective safety equipment are available.

show abstract

CSI: Reality

Cited by 56 publications

References 0 publications

Investigating CSI: Portrayals of DNA testing on a forensic crime show and their potential effects

Investigating CSI: Portrayals of DNA testing on a forensic crime show and their potential effects

DNA Behind Bars

Activities Designed for Fingerprint Dusting and the Chemical Revelation of Latent Fingerprints

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