It may seem like an odd subject for a blog post, but I have a theory, yes I know, one of many, but hey, I'm a thinker. Anyway, the theory goes something like this. Programmes like the CSI series, Bones, Cold Case and so on do a significant dis-service to modern society. They do this by perpetuating the myth that science can provide answers to “mysterious” occurrences. Further, I believe that this is a deliberate ploy on the part of the geo-political-media complex to continue the process of controlling the way we, the public view the World. Recently there has been increasing cause to question in the criminal courts the evidence of forensic experts. There have been several cases of miscarriages of justice based on forensic evidence including fibre analysis, DNA fingerprinting, injury analysis and so on and the reporting of these has been less than full in the mainstream media.
There can be little doubt that the advances in scientific understanding over the last hundred or so years has been incredibly rapid and has given tremendous advantage in terms of standards of living, but as yet science has not given us a complete understanding of the way the World works and the intricacies therein. A couple of non-specific cases that leap to mind are the series of “Satanic abuse cases” in the late 1970's and 1980's, the series of miscarriages over “shaken baby syndrome”, the erroneous use of psychological profiling in several serial killer cases, and these, and many more like them suffer from a common fault. They all rely on experts in their fields presenting apparently credible evidence in criminal investigations and cases that because of an incomplete picture of the science involved, both on the part of the experts involved, and the investigators and later the courts and jurys, is fundamentally flawed.
Why do I say this? Well, the hind sight evidence is clear. There have now been several cases where evidence provided by expert witnesses has been subsequently successfully challenged despite the original evidence being seen as unquestionable. This has been the case in all of the examples listed above. To date there has not been a single successful prosecution of a Satanic cult of any type, nor any evidence for the existence of Satanic abuse other than as an excuse for abuse in general. There have been several high profile cases of families torn apart by criminal convictions for child abuse that have later been overturned, and several cases where serial killers have been free to continue as a direct result of investigators being misdirected by incorrect profiling by psycholgists. So how does this link to my concerns over what are, on the surface, innocent, entertaining TV shows? These shows focus strongly on the use of forensic science as a panacea to miscarriages of justice and as a perfect way of reaching the truth, and this is a problem.
It sets the tone in the mind of the viewing public, some of whom will go on to carry out jury service, that forensic evidence is black and white, unquestionable and inviolable and that experts in these fields have all of the answers. This is simply not the case, but by creating this mindset it allows for the possibility that jurys can be manipulated and directed in ways that can lead to these miscarriages. I think these programmes should come with a warning stating clearly that they are works of fiction and that they represent an idealised version of the way in which these experts work and the facilities that they have available to them, and do not represent fact, but even with such a warning, would that make a difference? Now don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy these programmes, but I am in a position where I have an understanding of the science involved, and am clear on the difference between fact and fiction, but I am also aware that I am in the minority in a society which is becoming increasingly scientifically illiterate once you get beyond those who follow a scientific career. If you don't believe me, next time you are out with friends in their late teens and early twenties and turn the conversation to any science subject, you will find it shocking I'm sure how quickly people who don't have an interest in science get out of their depth and start coming out with information that is just wrong. It is quite worrying really, but that is a subject for another post....
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