Describe the "CSI effect" and how it differs from the reality of forensic science.

(150 words)

Sample answer:

Nowadays, people are easily influenced by what they watch or see. A clear example of this was CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015). CSI was an American television series that has become extremely popular among viewers.

The exaggerated way in which crime and the forensic scene is shown on TV, it is known as The CSI effect or CSI syndrome. All this has caused a big influence on people's perspective about justice and crime. People have started to demand more forensic evidence in criminal trials. To make matters worse, circumstantial evidence does not seem to be enough for general public.

Finally, it has been very difficult to forensic scientists to face all those problems. In many occasions, fiction distorts reality and public scrutiny generates pressure all the time. Nevertheless, people should realise that TV series are fiction and they will never be accurate.