Another discrepancy between current forensics and how it is portrayed in the media is the availability of information in databases. There is only a small percentage of the entire population's fingerprints or DNA samples stored in databases such as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This makes it difficult to find a match between a DNA sample or a fingerprint, as a match would only be found if the person's information was already stored in the database. If there is no match previously stored in a database, the fingerprint or DNA sample could potentially be rendered unusable in a study. Typically, to perform an analysis, investigators must already have a suspect in mind and request a DNA sample or fingerprint. However, if the suspect does not wish to provide one, the sample collected as evidence may not be considered valid. The CSI effect creates an idealized image that all crimes can be solved with a hair or a drop of blood, but this is not always the case in real life. In a well-known study conducted by Judge Donald Shelton, jurors were asked various questions to see if there was a significant difference in the acquittal rate between those who watched shows like CSI and those who did not. Lawyers, judges and journalists have said that watching television programs such as CSI has led jurors to unfairly acquit guilty defendants when no scientific evidence has been presented. To test this, 1,027 jurors were randomly selected and given a questionnaire to fill out. Questions about their demographics were listed, and jurors were asked what kinds of TV shows they watched, how often, and how much they believed they were real. In the survey, about seven questions were asked... in the middle of the paper... to say that there is a connection or a possible link between the two. I started this year considering a career in forensics. After delving deeper into the field, however, I see that it is a very delicate science and easily subject to misinterpretation. There are many variables within forensic science, the first of which is that of the CSI effect and how it influences our expectations of forensic science's capabilities. While it is true that great progress has been made in the field of forensic science, it is unrealistic to expect that the crime scene will be analyzed, the evidence analyzed and a conclusive forensic report completed in a short time and be completely 100% accurate. times. . Forensic science has much room for improvement, and understanding if, how, and why programs like CSI affect the field is of high priority. After all, this is real life and not a TV show.