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Using dramatic television as a vehicle for public health and service announcements is not a new idea. This was particularly evident in the ‘90s, when “special” episodes dealing with drug abuse and violence ran rampant on the airwaves. In recent years, institutions like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have used shows such as ER to convey medical safety. But what about the opposite effect, those shows which do not accurately portray information, altering public perception of reality?
Dr. Timothy Lineberry, M.D., a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic, investigated the relationship between CDC statistics on homicides and homicides that are portrayed on CSI and CSI: Miami, shows chosen because they have “combined audiences of more than 43 million viewers annually.” [Mayo] By comparing 2005 CDC data with the 2003-2005 seasons of the shows, Lineberry found that TV does not accurately reflect true homicide trends, especially when it came to factors of race, alcohol abuse, and the influence of relationships on violence.
Most striking among the statistics reported is alcohol and drug use. While watching CSI, Lineberry states just 11 of the offender in 300 cases viewed were under the influence of alcohol. In reality, the CDC reports that over 60% of offenders are tagged as under perception-altering substances. If CSI was to be accurate, over 150 of the offenders should have been using some form of drugs or alcohol.
Lineberry, presenting at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting, also conveys that there is a misrepresentation of race, with CSI having mostly Caucasian attackers and victims. There is also a discrepancy in portraying relationships. In most real cases, attackers and victims know each other intimately, and are not strangers as it appears on the shows.
Discovering the lack of correlation between reality and TV may help overcome problems that health care officials and policymakers face. There is always a movement to make programs that target violence in society. However, “if we believe that homicides are committed by strangers, that it doesn’t represent particular groups [races], and that it doesn’t represent the association with alcohol, it’s hard to come up with a public health intervention that is supported by the general public.” [Mayo video]
Lineberry makes a call to action in a video recorded for Mayo Clinic which can be seen below. While he is fully aware that shows like CSI are meant for entertainment, it is also important to remember that TV can be used as a way to reach out and properly educate the masses. “Practically speaking, CSI is not meant to be an accurate representation of CDC data. It’s a dramatic series that we like watching. However, it is important that the public be aware of what the actual statistics are with that, and there may be some opportunity for us to tailor media messages about the true impact, who are the victims and offenders, and the associated risk factors with homicide and violence in the general public.”
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Comments
CSI is an "entertainment" program. Star Trek is an "entertainment" program. Jerry Springer is "reality" programming. Learn from that show for the masses Mr. Mayo Clinic.
:D
CSI, and CSI: Miami are television shows.
Why spend so much time analyzing ways to prove they don't represent real crimes? It's a waste of time.
"Both shows were more likely to have described the victim and the attacker as Caucasian....
This statement tells me you made no effort to actually watch the show, especially CSI: Miami, then. African American, Cuban, Caucasian, Chinese, etc etc have all been represented in one way or another on CSI: Miami either as CSI's, police, victim or guilty.
I'm just going to continue as if you actually had watched the shows...
When creating public awareness, a simple statement of "Unlike CSI, which doesn't reflect real crime, because it's a TV show...." then go on with what you have to say. Or do you think EVERY American is so stupid as to think TV shows represent real life?
If people are in touch with reality, they will realize that the CSI:'s are TV shows and exist for entertainment, not as a way to earn college credits o
part 2
If people are in touch with reality, they will realize that the CSI:'s are TV shows and exist for entertainment, not as a way to earn college credits or to commit the 'perfect crime.'
What would happen if CSI:'s got it 100% right all the time? People would have myriad ways of committing crimes and getting away with it.
Is that what you want? Do you want TV shows to be so accurate as to create MORE crime - alcohol related or not? Come on! It's time for you to get real! If people want to learn how to commit real crimes, they'll watch Cold Case Files or Forensic Files!
The CSI:'s are not intended to be college courses, watching them is not going to give anyone credits toward a degree in forensic science, are they?
Nor are any of them trying to be.
Why stop at CSI? Why not pick on Quincy, C.H.I.P.'s, and Miami Vice?
Are the Law and Order's accurate representations of how the law in this country works. Why not do a needless study on them?
COME ON!
Part 3
If you want to pick on TV shows pick on the so called 'Reality Shows' which are not 'reality' in the slightest, yet claim to be. They are nothing more than game shows. Talk about misrepresentation of reality there! Those shows take the bloody cake!!
Leave CSI:, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY to do what they do best, entertain for an hour each every week, and you do what you do best, educating people as to the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse or whatever it is you do besides sitting around picking TV shows apart and claim they are not real.
As if we didn't already know that
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