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TV vs. reality: Learn the difference at 'CSI' class

The Bakersfield Californian | Saturday, Jan 28 2012 09:00 PM

Last Updated Saturday, Jan 28 2012 09:00 PM

Today's popular science-based television shows may depict real crime-fighting situations, but they are still just fiction.

"TV is TV. It is not real life," said Greg Laskowski, a supervising criminalist with the Kern County District Attorney's Forensic Science Division and a consultant for such television shows as "CSI Las Vegas," "CSI Miami" and "Bones."

Laskowski teaches "CSI Bakersfield," a two-session forensics class for the Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning at Bakersfield College to help Kern County residents and potential jurors distinguish between real life and Hollywood.

Laskowski's class will be taught on Wednesday evenings, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bakersfield College and includes a field trip to the Kern County Crime Lab.

"We do not solve crimes in 48 minutes," said Laskowski, explaining that he hopes his class will depict criminalists "as scientists and very committed individuals.

"We are public servants. We work for the citizens. We are out there to seek the truth. Even though we work for the district attorney, we are not advocates for the D.A. and we are not advocates for the defense. We are advocates for the evidence."

Levan Institute director Robert Allison recruited Laskowski to teach "CSI Bakersfield." Allison is a former Bakersfield College chemistry professor, and Laskowski was one of his students nearly four decades ago.

"Greg gives his students insights into the criminal justice system, science and the film industry," said Allison, adding that "CSI Bakersfield" meets the institute's goals of providing entertaining and educational programs to people 55 years of age and older.

David Berman, who plays assistant coroner David Phillips on "CSI Las Vegas" and is a researcher for the show, enlisted Laskowski as a consultant to help give his show a reality check.

"I know that there are some people in law enforcement who don't like the show," said Berman, referring to what is called the "CSI effect," in which television shows create unrealistic expectations in the minds of jurors. "It is true that the shows are entertainment. But they portray law enforcement officers in a very positive way -- as hard-working heroes. And they have elevated interest in not just forensic, but in science in general."

Vernon Kyle, who retired in July as head of the Kern County Crime Lab, gave credit to shows like "CSI Las Vegas" for educating people on science-based evidence, such as DNA.

"How far we have come since OJ."

-- Dianne Hardisty