Forensic anthropologist explains the 'CSI effect,' difficulty of breaking into profession

Forensic anthropologist Laura Fulginiti has had bodies in her office for over 20 years.

Fulginiti, who is an adjunct professor, was featured at ASU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice on Tuesday evening to discuss the realities encompassing forensic anthropology and what is known as the “CSI effect.”

Fulginiti is a board-certified forensic anthropologist who works with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner and the Forensic Science Center. She has responded to many catastrophic and fatal events including airline crashes in Colorado and Guam; the Sept. 11 crash in Pennsylvania; the Tri-State Crematory incident in Georgia; and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

She said many people are under what is called the “CSI effect,” meaning they believe that DNA identification can be performed instantly and that cases can be solved in hours.

Fulginiti said that the problem with the phenomenon is jurors will expect the case to be just like CSI or other crime TV shows and let their preconceived notions determine how they will go forward with deciding the case.

She cited a study of 300 prosecutors who said 61 percent of jurors believe the sciences in TV crime shows are true and they have to explain to jurors the differences.

In comparison to TV shows, laser beams don’t come out of the ceiling, Fulginiti said

“I have a lazy Susan and a couple of knitting needles,” Fulginiti said.

The body-identification process is much longer than depicted on television and she said that she just recently identified a body in a case from 1988.

Exploratory major freshman Yasmeine Abbassi learned that anthropologists “don’t give up on people.”

Often, people glamorize forensic anthropology, but Fulginiti said in reality, it’s an “unglamorous profession.”

Fulginiti said that she feels the biggest difference between shows like “CSI” and reality is the emotional aspect. She said people do not understand the toll it takes on one’s personality.

“It eats the heart right out of you,” Fulginiti said.

Criminology and psychology major Mario Melendez toured Fulginiti’s office a few weeks before the lecture and wanted to meet her in person.

He said the lecture gave him more realistic knowledge about the forensics seen on TV and what actually happens.

Fulginiti said that for students looking to get into the field, they must be persistent, proactive and find a mentor.

“It’s a difficult, difficult field to get into,” Fulginiti said. She added many students will contact her about pursuing a career in forensic anthropology, but very few follow through.

Criminology and criminal justice junior Chris Erickson said he found Fulginiti’s lecture interesting, but it also helped reinforce that forensic anthropology is “difficult and demanding.”

Wednesday 14 November 2012

http://downtowndevil.com/2012/11/13/34829/forensic-anthropologist-csi-effect/