Forensic dermatology and the crime scene investigation (CSI) effect: Are jurors influenced by forensic dermatologic investigations that they view on television, printed media, and the internet?

The crime scene investigation effect manifests as unrealistic attitudes among jurors based on fictional crime scene cases they have seen on television; jurors are influenced by the accuracy of forensic evidence and the speed with which these televised cases are resolved, and they expect the same standards they observe on television to be upheld in the courtroom. The definition of the crime scene investigation effect can be expanded to include information accessible not only from magazines that are readily available to the public but also from the internet and social media because these sources can provide jurors with unrealistic expectations of a crime scene evaluation similar to those they acquire from television. Forensic dermatology focuses on the evaluation of lesions involving the skin, mucosa, hair, and nails to determine the cause and manner of death in a decedent. In addition, clinical forensic dermatology includes the assessment of living victims of abuse and neglect, human trafficking, and torture. A comparison of real-world circumstances regarding dermatologic information and crime scene dermatologic evidence from other sources that may influence jurors is provided. Evaluation of heavy metal exposure, identification of decedents and suspects based on their tattoos, and microscopic evaluation of tissue specimens from mucocutaneous lesions are potential aspects of forensic dermatology that may lead the jury to unrealistic, preconceived standards based on their exposure to these topics on television, in magazines, and on social media. To minimize the crime scene investigation effect, dermatologists should testify in a clear, concise manner that engages jurors and provides them with relevant, reliable information so they can appropriately evaluate whether a defendant is guilty.