C.S.I.? Forensics, Here I come!

 

With a life- long interest in the stars and planets that hover above us, Carl Sagan not only contributed to the science world as an astrophysicist, but also a person who did everything he possibly could to aid the progression of public interest in the various aspects of science world-wide. To put his best foot forward, Sagan used the supposedly best means to attain the interest of people regardless of their ages- television. Through his numerous appearances on The Tonight Show as well as his famous show, “Cosmos” that premiered during the 1980’s, he was able to grab the attention of millions in not only the United States, but also over 50 other countries. Using his ethos, or authority, as a best-selling Pulitzer Prize- winning author, Sagan also used books for his readers such as the book, “Cosmos” to accompany his show as well as his company, Carl Sagan Productions. Through all of this, he defended his efforts with his idea of the obligations scientists have to the public in regards to explaining what science is all about. Two of these obligations could be purely for self-interest, as well as the public being able to know what they’re contributing to when they are spending their money on scientific funding. With all of this information slowly creeping out into the open, the only thing missing was an audience to witness the facts being adhered in Sagan’s various outlets of media.
As Sagan ended his television show in 1990, science related programming became a new trend in American society. Some of the most popular shows that have been suggested as propaganda for scenarios that occur with these occupations introduces the forensic aspects of the world to the public. For example, C.S.I. or crime scene investigators have gained the interests of young adults to the elderly who enjoy a good investigation or the drama that entices many to gasp at what may happen after the commercials. C.S.I.: Miami happens to be one of the shows of the series that focuses on using and analyzing physical evidence to prove what can be found in a crime scene to help convict someone guilty of a crime. The head of this team of investigators is Lieutenant Horatio “H” Caine who usually carries the responsibility of saying the catchy phrases as he provides a sense of security to his team and the next possible victims of a murderer/felon. Among the numerous actors that appear on this show, Horatio is assisted by his second in command and trusted friends Det. Eric Delko as well as Dr. Alex Woods who assists in the investigations with her consistent lab work as the medical examiner. The mix of gruesome murders as well as the reoccurring drama that happens between the main characters and the lives they are responsible for helps gravitate the audience to take further interest in the ways they do so – forensic science.
In regards to the pros of watching, this show helps encourage its audience of possibly pursuing this field because it intertwines the aspects of being a scientist with an occupation that services the community, such as a policeman/woman in this case, as the characters work for Miami- Dade Police Department (M.D.P.D.). On the other hand, the directors have used visual rhetoric to distract the audience from noticing the lack of effort that they put into making sure majority of the audience absorbs something informational about forensic science from the script. As a result of the over-simplifying method that has reached a “craze” stage recently in the media, C.S.I.: Miami has also suffered as it became negligent of actually displaying the work as well as the processes necessary to reach the point of analyzing body tissue, fingerprints, etc. that may help solve a crime in order to meet the 45- minute mark. What takes the place of this missing piece? Elegantly shot photos of labs and technology that seem to be performing a task, when in reality, such devices do not have much use.