The Use of Forensics in Fiction by Vanessa Knipe
- authorvalpenny
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
I am delighted to welcome author Vanessa Knipe to the blog today to share her thoughts about the use of forensics in Ficiton. Thank you for your time today Vanessa.
Thank you, Val, for inviting me onto your blog to talk about my favourite subject: the use of forensics in fiction.
As you know, crime fiction can be a dangerous thing. And that’s speaking as someone who studied forensic science. The obvious way is that books teach the criminals how to avoid detection. So, criminals know to wear gloves at a crime scene. Or, as in your own book, Murder in Edinburgh, they know to wear shoes that cannot be traced. However, there is a less clear method of influence and it’s called the CSI Effect.
Likewise, in Texas 2021, a mistrial was declared of a suspected serial killer. While eleven of the twelve jurors voted to convict Billy Chemirmir, one juror held out. The prosecutors provided detailed evidence, including CCTV, phone records and proper physical evidence. But the defence insisted that without DNA evidence they couldn’t convict.
One of the jurors believed the defence claims, despite the overwhelming alternative evidence, and voted innocent. Why did they vote that way? Because they had seen DNA evidence prove crimes on CSI, the television show.
What is the CSI Effect?
Simply put, the CSI Effect is a belief that juries either convict or fail to convict based on the information they have learned from the fictional television series CSI. To convict a person of a crime, it requires beyond reasonable doubt. But if a juror has learned that you need DNA evidence to convict, then if there is no DNA evidence, they consider that reasonable doubt.
How does the CSI Effect affect real life?
In the modern world of instant communication, fact and fiction are becoming interchangeable. Writers include real details in their fiction. This helps the story to resonate with the reader, if X is real, then I can believe Y. In the case of detective fiction, this is more true than with, say, a cosy romance. Everyone has seen the white-suited scientific investigators on their favourite TV cop shows. They watch how the police take the smallest piece of evidence and turn it into a solid case that convicts the criminal. So, when these readers and viewers end up on a jury in a Court of Law, the CSI Effect causes problems.
Can Courts Adapt to the CSI Effect?
Well, US Judge Donald E. Shelton believes adaptation is necessary. He offers two options for the courts. One suggestion requires that the jurors’ expectations for evidence are met. This would mean the police having to order further expensive tests on evidence, increasing police expenditure. Alternatively, judges and lawyers should be able to explain to jurors why that particular evidence is not necessary in a particular case.
Of course, detailed questioning of potential jurors, to eliminate those who binge watch crime shows, would also decrease the need for extra police funding.
Is The CSI Effect Real?
Well, the jury’s still out on that one. While most people who serve on juries work hard to understand the evidence presented, there are always one or two who, like the juror in the Chemirmir case who insist that unless the evidence conforms to the TV CSI standard then the suspect must be innocent. And that is when crime fiction can be dangerous.
The Author
Vanessa Knipe is a Malaysian-born writer based in Scotland. With a background in biochemistry and an MSc in forensic science, she writes fantasy and speculative fiction that brings together folklore, history, science and the uncanny.
You can learn more about Vanessa’s work on her website: https://vanessajknipe.wixsite.com/vanessa-knipe
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