Crime Scene/Forensic Investigations

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I find these types of shows very interesting, and am constantly amazed at the amount of evidence that can be retrieved at the scene of the crime. Of course one does have to allow for dramatic license and there is obviously a lot of exaggeration, but even allowing for this it must be a fascinating field in which to work.

Are there any A2K police or forensic experts out there who can answer my question, which is - Why does no one ever turn a light on? No matter where the crime takes place, you see the police, in the dark with their torches turned on, scrabbling around, picking things up with tweezers. Why not flick on the light switch when they walk into the room? And for old deserted buildings or outdoors, I know there are such things as portable floodlights - I've seen them being used - why aren't they used in those dark alley or park scenes?

Sure, I know, it's entertainment - but those shows need to have a certain amount of credibility to sustain interest.

Any ideas?

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It could be a couple of things - so they don't disturb or tamper with any evidence, such as fingerprints or blood residue that might be at the light switch.

I also believe Grissom once said in an episode not to touch the lights because he wants everything as it is. I believe he also said that he doesn't turn the lights on, because by looking with a flashlight, he can focus in one small part of the room at a time.

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Slightly off topic but do you remember the BANNED CHANNEL FIVE CSI- NY PROMOTIONAL PACKS that were sent out last year? Hundreds of people complained thinking they were the next intended victim.
I still have mine intact in my box of collectibles. Blood stained fabric and other evidence. Brilliant Must become a collectors item.

The pack comes in an envelope Purporting to come from Detective Mac Taylor and contains the listed items:
A crime folder with coffee stains and doodlings holding the following items revolving round the Carbon Copy Killer
3 x A4 Fax sheets
1 x A4 wanted poster
1 x plastic evidence bag, containing fabric taken from a crime scene
2 x Newspaper cuttings
3 x photos of different crime scenes
1 x contact sheet of various pictures taken at crime scenes
4 x different Polaroid type close ups taken at different crime scenes

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I have never seen that before, phoney. That is very cool.
As far as the shows tell us, Linkat is 100% correct. The investigators like to view things as the criminal or criminals left them, be it lights off or on. And using the flashlight allows them to not only pinpoint spots to look at with greater that normal intensity, but they can also break out the special equipment to look for fluid deposits without disturbing the scene in any way.
Also, you'll notice that even when the lights are on, they will still use their flashlights. The proof these things are done in real life can be seen on any given episode of Cops or Forensic Files, or really just about any show on Court TV.

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Any show on Auto Spam Filter? I must confess I get about a jillion channels on satellite, but am unfamiliar with that one! Laughing

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I didn't realize that it would change television stations to something marked AUTO SPAM FILTER. Interesting. Well, the television channel known as court (let's see if that gets through) is what I was attempting to say.

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Good thing I didn't call my satellite company to complain about what I was missing!

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