Forensic Dermatology and the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Effect: Are Jurors Influenced By Forensic Dermatologic Investigations that They View on Television, Printed Media, and the Internet?

The crime scene investigation (CSI) effect is manifested as unrealistic attitudes of jurors based on fictional crime scene cases that they have viewed on television; jurors are influenced by the accuracy of forensic evidence and the rapidity with which these televised cases have been resolved, and they expect the same standards that they observed on television to be upheld in the courtroom. The definition of the CSI effect can be expanded to include information accessible not only in magazines that are readily available to the public but also on the Internet and shared on social media, since these sources of data can provide jurors with similar unrealistic expectations of a crime scene evaluation that they can acquire from television. Forensic dermatology focuses on the evaluation of lesions involving the skin, mucosa, hair, and nails to determine the cause and manner of death in a decedent. In addition, clinical forensic dermatology includes the assessment of living victims of abuse and neglect, human trafficking, and torture. A comparison of real-world circumstances regarding dermatologic information and crime scene dermatology evidence available from other sources that may influence jurors is provided. Evaluation of exposure to heavy metals, identification of decedents and suspects based on their tattoos, and the microscopic evaluation of tissue specimens of mucocutaneous lesions are potential aspects of forensic dermatology that may lead to unrealistic preconceived standards by the jury based on their exposure to these areas on television, magazines, and social media. To minimize the CSI effect, dermatologists should testify in a clear and concise manner that engages jurors and provides them with relevant and reliable information so that they can appropriately evaluate whether a defendant is guilty.