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Forensic Psychology and TVforensic psychology

Posted by Helping Psychology in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Oct 28, 2008

Forensic Psychology shown in the current television CSI drama's has certainly brought new life to the field of science. These television drama's have given children and adults new style hero's that are scientist, policemen, lab technicians and have put trust back into the ability to get the bad guys. Viewers seem to feel more inpowered after watching these shows it gives them situations that could occur and reinforce what most people already know, if a situation doesn't feel right then it probably isn't.

There has been a marked increase in enrollment for forensic psychology classes across the states. With this increase in enrollment there is also an increase in expectations from students that simply cannot be met. Students are somewhat surprised to find that procedures, timing for the procedures and even equipment vary significantly from the television show. It gives the everyday person a glimpse into the amazing world of Forensic Psychology. This glimpse into the CSI world seems to give a one sided unrealistic view.

These shows have ratings to think of and a crime to solve in sixty minutes. The deplict crime lab processing as nearly immediate, show CSI's in the latest fashion, driving the newest vehicles they also have equipment that is truly out of this world. The technique's, equipment used in the field, equipment used in the labs, procedure's used to collect forensic's, the glamorous life styles of the CSI's and even the way the CSI's interrogate suspects are not typical of a true forensic setting. A great deal of the equipment shown on television simply doesn't exsist and was created to give hype to the show. This gives jurors a false expectation in real life courtrooms dealing with real life crimes. Even prosecutors have stated that these shows can sometimes lead their clients to be seen as guilty before given a fair trial and juror's expect data supported by forensic psychology that simply cannot be given.

This new view on forensic psychology seems to give people a higher expectation of science than is actually available, therefore leaving people and student's let down when the actual facts aren't as exciting. Typically Forensic Psychology procedures are tedious and time consuming often not giving the concrete proof needed while labs become back logged and sometimes evidence cannot even be processed before a defendant goes to trial, which leads to postponing trials which leaves the courts backed up slowing down the judicial system. Funding and research are needed in the forensic psychology field to offer different techniques and equipment to help solve crimes that even today are unable to be solved. It is a field that has had great strides yet still holds so much more to be discovered.

Forensic Dentristy and fingerprinting are older methods that could use more funding to make these methods more effecient and less time consuming. The CSI television shows are great entertainment, has helped revive a dying profession, and gives situations that allow parents to speak to their teens and young adults to empower them in safety. These shows have their good and bad points and it is up to viewers to realize that a great deal of the show is for entertainment.