Geek news site Slashdot has risen the question of whether CSI, and it's two spin-offs, are actually good models of what forensic science really is.
On the one hand, they've caused a boom in the popularity of forensic science college courses, and they glamorize geeks bent over microscopes, rather than smarmy lawyers.
On the other hand, they may also promote an inaccurate view of science: prosecutors throughout the country now worry about juries that refuse to accept eyewitness accounts or even outright confessions, and instead exclusively demand the kind of forensic evidence they see on CSI.
Well, obviously the answer is no. For the love of Pete, it's television! I really hope jury members don't think that way...that's kind of sad, just goes to show you how much we value and believe in what we are shown on TV these days.