The impact of the "CSI effect" on forensic odontology cases. a systematic review

Authors

  • Nikolaos Christoloukas School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,
  • Anastasia Mitsea Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) Greece

Keywords:

CSI effect, impact, forensic, odontology, medicine, science

Abstract

The popularity of forensic science in recent decades is substantially related to the high rate of watching television programs dealing with the investigation of criminal cases, such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 2000) and the two sequels, "CSI: NY" (CSI: NY, 2004) and "CSI: Miami" (CSI: Miami, 2002). These medical-based TV series portrayed forensic science in a favorable way, encouraging viewers to experience differently this scientific field. Although it is considered a minor social phenomenon, the reality seems to diverge. The aim of this study is to systematically review the existing literature on the impact of the “CSI effect” on crime scene management, analysis, and interpretation of evidence on forensic odontology cases. Electronic research was attempted among four (4) different electronic databases from January 2005 to October 2021. After removing articles according to inclusion-exclusion criteria, the final selection resulted in 5 articles. The results indicated that forensic-based TV series provided a sense of plausibility not dependent on factual accuracy. In addition, an increasing pressure on law enforcement personnel and investigators to collect DNA at crime scenes, regardless of whether it was relevant to the case was also observed. The popularity of these TV shows has contributed to growing public interest in forensic science programs and hence the “CSI effect” had a greater impact on individuals who systematically watched such television series.

Author Biographies

Nikolaos Christoloukas, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,

DDS, MSc, Doctorate Postgraduate Student,

Department of Oral Diagnosis & Radiology,

School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,

Anastasia Mitsea, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) Greece

Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis & Radiology,  School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,

 

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Published

2022-05-07

How to Cite

Christoloukas, N., & Mitsea, A. (2022). The impact of the "CSI effect" on forensic odontology cases. a systematic review. The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology - JFOS, 40(2), 38:43. Retrieved from https://ojs.iofos.eu/index.php/Journal/article/view/1432