The CSI effect refers to television shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, and 48 Hours Mystery, and the impact they have on jurors. It is said that jurors who watch these types of shows may place a heavy emphasis on forensic science in a case. These jurors will tend to believe forensic evidence is 100% accurate and that it should be produced in every criminal case. Prosecutors have claimed jurors may be reluctant to vote to convict if the police were unable to recover any forensic evidence from the crime scene.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]