CSI effect

noun

The phenomenon in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows influences public perception, and especially, jurors' behaviour regarding forensic evidence in criminal trials.

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Meanings

nounCSI effect (plural CSI effects)

plural CSI effects

  1. The phenomenon in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows influences public perception, and especially, jurors' behaviour regarding forensic evidence in criminal trials.

Origin

Referring to the impact of the series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on public perception of forensic science.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

CSI effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CSI%20effect

MLA

“CSI effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CSI%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “CSI effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CSI%20effect.

Source: CSI effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.