Does television influence conviction rates?

The popularity of television shows that focus on scientific forensic evidence has led some people to speculate about a "CSI effect" on jurors.

Do jurors who watch popular crime shows expect criminal trials to be loaded with detailed descriptions of DNA tests and other forensic evidence? More importantly, are jurors less likely to convict criminals if prosecutors do not present forensic evidence, relying on eyewitness testimony instead?

Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 prospective jurors, asking detailed questions about their television viewing habits, what kinds of evidence they expect to see at a trial, and how they would be likely to vote based on the evidence.

The survey found that while prospective jurors often expect to see scientific evidence at trials, they are still willing to convict criminals without it, relying on factors such as circumstantial evidence and eyewitness testimony.

However, CSI viewers were — perhaps surprisingly — more likely than other people to convict without scientific evidence if eyewitness testimony was available.

Read the full article in the NIJ Journal.