Crime shows, like CSI, have significantly increased public interest in forensic science over the last several decades and more. However, these shows present forensic science as though it were an almost magical solution to all problems and that results come back during the commercial break. Some prosecutors have even claimed juries expect a mountain of forensic evidence in every trial, the “CSI Effect”. In this course, we will review what is presented in movies and TV shows versus how forensic science is actually performed. The field of forensic science has evolved over the decades with new and more reliable tests being developed. We will cover some examples where new methods have been used to overturn convictions based on earlier and less accurate methods.

Instructor: Graham Rankin
Keywords: Media & Current Events, Science, Tech, & Data
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