CSI Effect

by Liberty Speidel

The CSI effect has made juries less likely to convict when faced with a circumstantial case. LT Dwayne Holligan faces this problem in his most recent case, the murder of Sarah Donovan, the girlfriend of a fellow officer. When the D.A. tells Holligan to cut the killer loose, the young officer decides to take matters into his own hands... Can he thwart the reviled CSI effect?

12 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2013

About the author

Liberty Speidel Hardt (formerly Liberty Speidel) writes urban fantasy mysteries, including the Darby Shaw Chronicles, about characters who won't shut up until their stories hit the page. With her husband and co-author, Joshua Hardt, she wrote Wave of Disruption. A Kansas City-area author who also drives a city bus, she's a D&D player, knitter, and Star Wars nerd. Her newsletter is The Hardt of Liberty.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this well written short story about good cops trying to get a confession out of a murder suspect. Without the forensic evidence they need fo convict all they have are their instincts. The writing is strong and rings true. The sad fact is that shows like CSI and other procedural police dramas set up an expectation in potential jurors that block convictions because cops lack DNA or fingerprints to really tie a criminal to a crime. The police are stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to keep criminals off the street even when they "know" somebody did something. (Although the perp did technically and grammatically confess at one point when he stated, "I didn't kill no one.")

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any piece of fiction that helps me see some aspect of life in a new way is a winner in my book. I suppose I was vaguely aware of the "CSI effect," but this story cemented the concept for me. I appreciated the snappy dialogue and the gritty twist in the end. A quick, interesting read that held my attention.

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been watching shows like SCI for a long time now, but who knew there was such a thing as a "SCI effect?" It's a real thing, the author notes at the end of this story, and the bane of the police and prosecutors. Quick, fun short story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read many short stories because I don't generally find them as satisfying as a novel. However, CSI Effect is an engaging story with emotion, good pacing, and characters I could visualize.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Great short story and quick read. I'd really enjoy an actual full book in regards to the CSi Effect that's not a college priced textbook for recreational reading.