The CSI effect and its controversial existence and impact: a mixed methods review

Reporting Sexual Assault: Can Knowledge of How to Protect Forensic Evidence Influence Intentions to Report?

“…Research has demonstrated a general social expectation that criminal investigation will incorporate forensic evidence. The “CSI Effect,” the theory that suggests that forensic television dramas influence juror biases has indicated that laypersons are familiar with forensic evidence and its role in substantiating criminal cases (Dioso-Villa, 2015; Schanz & Salfati, 2016). Although these results suggest a general awareness, thus far, the content and accuracy of laypersons’ forensic knowledge has remained relatively unexplored.…”

The Impact of Media Watching and Victim Gender on Victim and Offender Blameworthiness and Punishment

“…that potential jurors are expecting what they see happen in TV crime dramas regarding forensic evidence to be what happens in real-life (Ferris, 2011;Schanz & Salfati, 2016;Shelton et al, 2007). For example, viewers expect forensic evidence to be available at every crime scene, to always be analyzed and to be analyzed quickly, and that all police departments have easy access to advanced technology for analysis (Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007;Schweitzer & Saks, 2007).…”

“…Research has shown that, in general, people use media sources to learn about different topics (e.g., Bandura, 2001; Gerbner et al, 1980) and that what we watch on television influences our perceptions of the real world, specifically those of the criminal justice system (Acquaviva et al, 2020; Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007; Elmore et al, 2021; Podlas, 2012; Schanz & Salfati, 2016). This has been highlighted in research examining the CSI Effect, or the theory that crime-relevant media can affect consumers’ perceptions of forensic evidence (e.g., Durnal, 2010; Ferris, 2011; Schanz & Salfati, 2016; Stinson et al, 2007).…”

“…Research has shown that, in general, people use media sources to learn about different topics (e.g., Bandura, 2001; Gerbner et al, 1980) and that what we watch on television influences our perceptions of the real world, specifically those of the criminal justice system (Acquaviva et al, 2020; Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007; Elmore et al, 2021; Podlas, 2012; Schanz & Salfati, 2016). This has been highlighted in research examining the CSI Effect, or the theory that crime-relevant media can affect consumers’ perceptions of forensic evidence (e.g., Durnal, 2010; Ferris, 2011; Schanz & Salfati, 2016; Stinson et al, 2007). While there have been mixed results regarding verdict decisions (e.g., Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007; Shelton et al, 2007), the majority of research suggests that potential jurors are expecting what they see happen in TV crime dramas regarding forensic evidence to be what happens in real-life (Ferris, 2011; Schanz & Salfati, 2016; Shelton et al, 2007).…”

“…This has been highlighted in research examining the CSI Effect, or the theory that crime-relevant media can affect consumers’ perceptions of forensic evidence (e.g., Durnal, 2010; Ferris, 2011; Schanz & Salfati, 2016; Stinson et al, 2007). While there have been mixed results regarding verdict decisions (e.g., Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007; Shelton et al, 2007), the majority of research suggests that potential jurors are expecting what they see happen in TV crime dramas regarding forensic evidence to be what happens in real-life (Ferris, 2011; Schanz & Salfati, 2016; Shelton et al, 2007). For example, viewers expect forensic evidence to be available at every crime scene, to always be analyzed and to be analyzed quickly, and that all police departments have easy access to advanced technology for analysis (Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007; Schweitzer & Saks, 2007).…”