The 2/20/13 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled " Forget Me Not" highlighted the conflict between emotion and physical evidence. There is a saying that physical evidence cannot be tainted, it does not lie, it is not prejudice, and it cannot be persuaded. Only the people who interpret the meaning and importance of this evidence possess these qualities.
At some point in the story line the detective was advised to "not read between the lines" but to rely on the physical evidence. And boy was there evidence: a fingerprint on a wine glass and hair in the shower drain, not to mention the digital records of the hotel door log and the phone log. How convenient that potential evidence like fingerprints and blood on the potential murder knife was washed away in the dishwasher and the bedsheets from the hotel room with possible evidence were missing.
And then how ironic that the same absence of evidence helped to corroborate the idea that CSI Sidle did not actually assault a potential stalker. There was no trace or blood on her clothes to indicate that she had participated in any sort of beating. Imagine that the absence of evidence was actually the evidence necessary to spur on the pursuit of further analysis and digging into the investigation.
Thankfully the CSI's followed their hearts and emotions and went the extra mile to search for the truth.
It does make one wonder though when does emotion help to encourage further search and testing. Would they have done more if it hadn't involved a coworker? I'd like to think that the ultimate effort occurs in every case regardless of budget cuts and deadline pressures. I guess in reality we should all be thankful for the diligence of true professionals and organizations like "The Innocence Project".
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