The impact of true crime media is well-documented in an ever-growing body of literature. New documentaries, podcast episodes and YouTube videos emerge daily. Existing research often focuses on those that are self-proclaimed true crime “fans”, however, the effects on those who do not engage with such media, and may have a different outlook, remain unexplored. This study aims to examine how true crime media influences public understanding of forensic science and attitudes towards violent offenders, with an objective to assess the “CSI Effect”. Methods: A 21-question survey, with long and short-answer questions, covering understanding of forensic science, violent offenders and the criminal justice system was used; a mix of both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered, and 153 participants gave their opinions. Survey results indicate that, regardless of media consumption habits, participants have a fair understanding of forensic science but also recognise inaccuracies. 85% of those who stated their understanding of forensic science had significantly improved due to true crime media correctly gave the role of a forensic scientist, whilst 75% of those whose understanding had not improved gave the correct answer. In addition, only 6% view the media’s portrayal of forensic science as “very accurate”. Regarding violent offenders, 42% of participants who became more sympathetic due to true Crime Media believed in rehabilitation, compared to just 5% of those who became less sympathetic. Overall, results suggest true Crime media moderately improves public understanding of forensic science. Participants demonstrated reasonable forensic knowledge, indicating exposure to such content may contribute to an increased awareness of forensic methodologies. True crime consumption reinforces confidence in forensic evidence; strong trust in its reliability is expressed. It also enhances awareness of factors contributing to violent crime, though this does not necessarily increase sympathy for offenders. Future work should exclude those with forensic expertise from the survey to ensure unbiased responses and consider face-to-face interviews for deeper insight. The findings of this study highlight the need for clearer public education on forensic science, and how it can inform legal professionals on potential biases in jury decision-making.
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