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Category: Project

Description: Research on the CSI effect suggests that consumption of fictional crime shows influences expectations and perceptions of forensic evidence. While these studies focus mostly on fictional crime shows (e.g., CSI), there is a reason to distinguish viewing habits of different sub genres of crime shows. This descriptive study expands on the CSI effect research by examining viewing habits of true crime television shows (e.g., The First 48) and true crime documentaries (e.g., Making a Murder). Participant recruitment was conducted in three phases. In all phases, participants (n = 1037) were randomly assigned to read a trial transcript that indicated a stronger case or weaker case against the defendant. The transcripts were exactly the same except for the addition of an eyewitness in the weaker case. The witness is a private investigator hired by the defense that testifies that the Detective on the case has a conflict of interest which implies that evidence was planted. All phases included measures of defendant responsibility, strength of case against defendant, and their likelihood estimation that the detective planted evidence. Phase 1 (n = 202) only included questions about the participants viewership of true crime documentaries. Phase 2 (n = 419) and 3 (n = 416) added a dichotomous verdict measure, as well as the participants viewership of fictional crime shows and true crime television shows. We are currently conducting data analysis.