SOC 1500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Social Constructionism, Csi Effect, Real Crime
20 Feb 2016
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Defined: the unrealistic expectation the public has regarding what forensic science can accomplish based on the media/tv/pop culture. Perceptions: csi (the tv show) has influenced people"s perceptions of what science/crime solving can do (perception of the criminal justice system) This altered perception has influenced real life outcomes (people expect the same results as they see on television). Can influence juries, who make decisions about people"s guilt/sentencing. Faulty forensic science can make someone innocent look guilty, so they call for more dna testing etc. Ex: jury found robert blate (actor) not guilty after he was accused of hiring a hit man to kill his wife. States now ask people what type of television they watch, how much they watch, and how this influences their perceptions of crime. Belief that the system is always precise/correct, never makes mistakes. The perception/evaluation of evidence can be tainted. Impression that employees of the system can do every job.
