Chahna Choksi

Abstract:

The popularity of forensics is partly due to television shows like CSI that have brought the sciences to people globally. This CSI effect is actually negatively impacting the forensic community. Any individual is able to gain a certificate by paying a small fee and be a certified forensic expert, which would then allow them to testify in court as an expert. This can be junk science, but it is admissible in court because they are an “expert.” Misconception is the downfall of forensics, but many of us are not even aware of it. Pseudoscience with no rigorous testing, results in incomplete or inaccurate results are presented to a jury that is none the wiser to what it means.