This is actually something I have thought many times before… if you spell it out to a criminal then they will get ideas of how to use it in their next 'jig' (Crime). So, what do we do now, ensure that shows like CSI do not reveal too much?
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I have wondered this allot myself also. Its interesting that its starting to get recognition that these shows are showing criminals better ways to avoid detection. Its reality mimicking television mimicking reality. The big question is will they stop showing so much on the television shows. The answer will be no because its about money. Reality TV makes money these days, the more realistic, the more people like the show it seems.
The CSI effect: Watching TV crime shows does not make better criminals. Psychological study finds no link between exposure to popular forensic science dramas and the ability to conceal a crime / Publication in the International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice. Source 3k.
I have always wondered this same thing and though they have studies that say these CSI episodes have nothing on crime I tend to believe that there might be one or two criminal minds that are smart enough to use the knowledge gained to plan differently.
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Coming from a police point of view there has always been two types of criminals. The most common criminal is the one who does not understand the way the crime scene works against them and even watching CSI does not help them at all. The other type are the smart ones the ones who go out of their way to find a way to cover their tracks. These are the hard ones to catch and it does take the good CSI types to figure out the MO and find a way to point to the correct suspect.
Fortunately, most criminals aren't very smart and even if they are above average they tend to be too desperate or too greedy to care. CSI will work against these guys but I am hoping that most CSI units do not reveal all their tools or tricks to Hollywood.
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