The CSI effect in German forensic medicine. Effect of television on the career orientation of juveniles

作者：Keuneke S; Grass H; Ritz Timme S^*

来源：Rechtsmedizin, 2010, 20(5): 400-406.

DOI：10.1007/s00194-010-0668-2

• forensic medicine
• Media depiction
• Career orientation of young people
• Personnel selection

Background. The interest of German youths in forensic medicine as an occupational field has increased significantly. Given the concurrent proliferation of television series such as "CSI-Crime Scene Investigation", the question of whether there is a link between the two phenomena arises and, if so, how it is to be assessed? Is the interest in forensic medicine as an occupational field to be interpreted as misguided or does it offer genuine opportunities for recruiting new talent?
Methods. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 27 young prospective professional candidates.
Results and conclusion. The interviews demonstrated clear evidence of a CSI effect showing a media-induced orientation toward forensic medicine as a career. Youths may be guided not so much by the characters in the television programs as by the media depiction of forensic science: they react to its perceived distortion by desiring to align it with reality. A typology of the vocational interest underlines that the motives of many young people may indeed correspond with the reality of forensic medicine and that appealing to these young people via information about the career field of forensic medicine may well be worthwhile for recruiting motivated talent.

• 出版日期2010-10