The Reverse CSI Effect

The CSI Effect — jurors who watch pop­u­lar TV foren­sic pro­grams are more likely to aquit if they feel not every pos­si­ble foren­sic exam­i­na­tion has been performed.

The Reverse CSI Effect — a pre­dis­po­si­tion of the juror to auto­mat­i­cally believe the results of foren­sic testing.

I sup­posed the Reverse CSI Effect could be a prob­lem, espe­cially if you have a Scientific Forensicist testifying.

It’s an inter­est­ing con­cept. I haven’t seen any data on the “Reverse CSI Effect” before. Honestly all I’ve heard about is anec­do­tal evi­dence about the “CSI Effect”. Any of the cases I’ve worked where the defense has tried to employ the CSI Effect hasn’t been successful.

It seems that every day there is some sort of arti­cle in print that laments the poor posi­tion of pros­e­cu­tors, their hor­ri­ble bur­den and how unfair the CSI Effect is. Well, what is the truth? It seems that there is a CSI Effect, but not to acquit, but rather to con­vict. A reverse CSI Effect.

Read Justin McShane’s DUI Pennsylvania Blog arti­cle here.