Review | Frontline: The Real CSI

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Plot: What’s it about?Video: How does it look?Audio: How does it sound?Supplements: What are the extras?

Plot: What’s it about?

Television has been overrun with shows that involve forensic work, featuring cases that seem impossible to solve, yet are always cracked with forensic work. Obviously these shows have been inspired by real life stories of forensic work, but are real life forensics like you see on television? Frontline takes you inside the real world of forensic science, to uncover how the work is done and how reliable the results are. This programs details the tools used to locate, capture, and document forensic evidence, as well as how this data is used in courtrooms. You’ll not only see the inside scoop on forensic science, but watch as real life cases unfold that hinge on the forensic data. We all know television often makes forensic science seem slick and infallible, but now Frontline shows you the real life nuts & bolts of the field.

If you’re a diehard fan of shows like CSI, you’ve seen how forensic science is portrayed. The shows make it look like glamorous, cutting edge science that never fails to zero in on the responsible parties. But in Frontline: The Real CSI, you’ll see how the real life science works and how incorrect television’s version is. This program gives credit where credit is due, but it also seeks to uncover just how accurate and reliable the science is. As I said above, the tools of forensic scientists are examined and the result isn’t favorable. The show finds serious flaws with the tools and methods used to gather evidence. More problems are found in how that data is used in court, as there is minimal consistency or standard procedure. The Real CSI paints a picture of a good intended, but unproven and deeply flawed science. So if you’re looking for a no holds barred look inside the real life world of forensic science, then Frontline: The Real CSI is well worth a look.

Video: How does it look?

Frontline: The Real CSI is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The program looks good, about what you’d expect from a high quality broadcast. The footage varies somewhat of course, given the nature of the show, but overall the images look quite good.

Audio: How does it sound?

The soundtrack is also on par with a broadcast version, which is fine in this case. The audio is basically narration or live feed, so the quality varies from scene to scene. But no segments sound bad and all of the needed elements can be heard with no problems at all. This disc also includes English subtitles.