It is a fact that murders and other violent crimes are not solved as easily as in shows like CSI and Law and Order. It takes a lot of teamwork, dedication, intelligence and patience to catch the bad guys when it comes to real crimes. The differences between what we see depicted on television and how an investigation works in real life are extraordinary. Often on shows like CSI, Law and Order, and Criminal Minds, crimes are solved within an hour. All forensic testing, interviews, arrest, and sometimes even arraignment and sentencing are accomplished within forty-five minutes or less. In real life this is nowhere near the truth. Some forensic tests can take weeks, months, or even years to get results (National Institute of Justice). In high crime areas there may be a backlog of samples waiting to be tested. This can result in test results not being returned for periods of months or years. Interviewing suspects and witnesses is also not a quick and easy task. The police must track down all the people they believe they need to question. Interviews can last hours and hours at a time and even last days at a time. Sometimes people don't cooperate, which can lead to police having to get a warrant. Obtaining a warrant can sometimes be a lengthy process in itself. Often, unless it is an open and shut case, it can take weeks, months or years for an arrest to actually occur. When an arrest actually occurs, the process can take years to complete. In order for an arrest and trial to occur, the police must have evidence to support what they are trying to prove. Gathering evidence is a project of its own and is very different from what is shown on television… in the middle of the newspaper… sometimes it goes beyond the arrest to the trial and prison phase. TV shows never go into too much depth when it comes to what happens after the trial and so many people don't have a good idea of ​​what is actually involved. There are many differences between a fictional crime and a true crime. Everything from the investigation, to the collection of evidence, to the arrest and trial is completely different. Crime in real life can't be summed up in a one-hour block. While it's convenient and exciting to watch shows where the bad guy is caught and the crime solved within an hour, it's also fantasy and people need to remember that. We must be aware of what really happens in police work and be grateful for the men and women out there who are willing to put their time, energy, emotions and even their personal safety on the line to solve the crimes of others..