Perceived Realism and the CSI-Effect

Anecdotal claims made by lawyers, judges, and legal scholars state that jurors are increasingly expecting the presence of DNA and other forensic evidence in criminal trials (Cole & Dioso-Villa, 2007, Tyler, 2006). This research extends what is known about what has been aptly termed the “CSI-Effect.” Utilizing Cultivation Theory (Gerbner, 1976), this research examined whether juror ratings of guilt in a criminal trial are impacted by a relationship between perceived realism and the presentation of different types of evidence. Overall, those high in perceived realism were more likely to convict than those low in perceived realism. Additionally, eyewitness testimony significantly decreased jurors’ likelihood of voting guilty. Finally, evidence strength only had an impact on verdict in the eyewitness condition. The results here suggest that perceived realism does not increase a jurors’ expectation that DNA evidence be presented in court and thus does not support the CSI-effect.