Teaching To Avoid the "CSI Effect". Keeping the Science in Forensic Science

Bergslien, Elisa

doi:10.1021/ed083p690

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Forensic anthropology, like the forensic sciences in general, has experienced a large increase in popularity over the last few decades, associated with the popularity of such fictional television shows as CSI and Bones (Bergslien 2006). The increase in popularity of forensic anthropology, specifically, has been observed in terms of increasing student membership to the Anthropology section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), as well as individuals certified in forensic anthropology by the ABFA.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Value of Forensic Anthropology in Undergraduate Anthropology Programs

Passalacqua

Mulholland

Pilloud

et al. 2021

American Anthropologist

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Anecdotally, it has been suggested that undergraduate anthropology students are more interested in forensic anthropology than any other specialty but that forensic anthropologists are less desired as colleagues in academia due to the nature of their work. The goal of this project was to examine two related questions: Does having a forensic anthropologist, or an undergraduate concentration in forensic anthropology, increase the number of majors in anthropology programs? And are forensic anthropologists less likely to be hired for relevant biological anthropology academic positions? To address these questions, data from a number of sources were analyzed. Results found that academic programs with a forensic anthropology concentration had large increases in the overall number of anthropology majors and that programs with forensic anthropologists as faculty produced significantly more anthropology bachelor's degrees. These data are counter to the current national trend of declining anthropology degrees. For jobs in academia specifically desiring a forensic anthropologist, forensic anthropologists were hired in only 58 percent of postings. This study shows a reluctance to hire forensic anthropologists in academia despite their positive impact on the growth of anthropology programs; it also has implications for the education of future forensic anthropologists. [forensic anthropology, academia, enrollment, career, hiring]

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confidence: 99%

The Value of Forensic Anthropology in Undergraduate Anthropology Programs

Passalacqua

Mulholland

Pilloud

et al. 2021

American Anthropologist

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“…The following paragraphs explain the situation in Italy and attempt to provide guidance for the creation of a standard protocol for forensic investigations in that country [5].…”

Section: Crime Scene Instructionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This international effect suggests that the television program and its spin-offs, which wildly exaggerate and glorify forensic science, affect the public and courtroom trials either by (a) burdening the prosecution by creating greater expectations about forensic science than can be delivered or (b) burdening the defence by creating exaggerated faith in the capabilities and reliability of the forensic sciences. This phenomenon has spread from the USA, and now it is also very common in Europe (particularly in the UK) [3]- [5]. Italy is surely not immune to its dissemination, not only in the courtroom but also in popular culture [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Geo-Archaeology in Italy: Materials for a Standardisation

Barone

Maggio²,

Ferrara

2015

IJA

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Abstract:The so-called 'CSI effect' was recently observed in the Italian judicial system. The reason for the increase in instances of this effect is the lack of a standard geo-archaeological procedure in conducting a forensic investigation. To avoid the harmful consequences of this lack of standardisation, it is necessary to develop a robust geo-archaeological protocol for use during every crime scene investigation.

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“…Certainly an innocent suspect would provide a compelling case for the need for objectivity on the part of crime scene investigators (1). For middle-school students, this task is best carried out with the entire class to ensure that everyone understands all aspects of the analysis.…”

Section: Examining the Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

Crime Scene Investigation in the Art World: The Case of the Missing Masterpiece

2009

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The relationships between chemistry, crime, and art are explored in an outreach activity for middle and high school students that investigates a possible art fraud. Students characterize pigment samples via spectroscopy and chemical analysis to determine whether the pigments in a questioned painting are consistent with those used by the alleged artist or are suggestive of a more modern origin. In lieu of actual paint samples, water-soluble dyes and metal salts are used as mock pigments, allowing characterization of colored solutions via UV–visible absorbance spectroscopy. Chemical tests for iron and copper further assist with pigment identification.

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Teaching To Avoid the "CSI Effect". Keeping the Science in Forensic Science

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

The Value of Forensic Anthropology in Undergraduate Anthropology Programs

The Value of Forensic Anthropology in Undergraduate Anthropology Programs

Forensic Geo-Archaeology in Italy: Materials for a Standardisation

Crime Scene Investigation in the Art World: The Case of the Missing Masterpiece

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