The article “‘CSI effect’ is mixed blessing for real crime labs” by Stefan Lovgren is a description of a drama that shows the imagination of how crimes can be investigated using technology and machines. The play involves lab tech where evidence collected is analyzed in a lab and results are presented in a courtroom for judgment. The process of study is short and performed in one place by the same people that do all the duties such as sample collection, analysis, interrogation, confronting the criminals, and testify before the court.
My opinion regarding this show is that the actors exaggerated everything about crime scene investigation. The same people involved in the examination process cannot be in a position to handle everything. In reality, different departments with diverse expertise get together to perform the investigation process. For instance, the police officers who collect the evidence do not qualify to do the tests in the laboratories. This way, the report is ought to be more accurate and with positive results, since the skills applied are from professionals.
The drama portrays a highly advanced technology with instant reports yet in the real world, this has not been achieved. The expectations from people who watch it and have an interest in the field give them an illusion that the work is easy. The duration of the course is not as short as the show indicates. In my view, individuals with a passion for joining crime scene investigation jobs, should lower their hopes and be ready to work more manually than is being acted. The play sets a good pace for the industry to upgrade its methodology regarding offense consideration.
Reference
Lovgren, S. (2004). ’CSI Effect’is Mixed Blessing for Real Crime Labs. National Geographic News, 23.