For Profiling Murderers, Is There a “Criminal Minds Effect”?

Image from Charles LeBlanc on Flickr

If you follow courtroom news, you may have heard the term “CSI effect.” It means the lofty notions jurors are said to have of forensic evidence — blood spatter, fingerprints, tire impressions, shooting reconstructions, etc. — and its value in catching criminals, especially killers.

Where do such notions come from?

• Law & Order