From Lindbergh to Laci, a growing forensics fancy

But many agree the interest in forensics has deeper roots. Americans, after all, have long been fascinated by mysteries ranging from the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby to the Kennedy assassination. Now, as new techniques and more sophisticated technology allow scientists to unravel cases that previously would have been unsolvable, forensics is taking an almost mythic place in the American imagination.

"This is the Sherlock Holmes side of crimes," says Dr. Vizzard. "What we've seen develop is the [interest in] the mystery side of criminal justice, and the mystery lends itself well to forensic science."

Just ask author Patricia Cornwell or actor William Petersen. Ms. Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta is arguably the Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple of modern American literature, and she is a coroner. Mr. Petersen, meanwhile, coproduces and stars in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," routinely one of TV's top-rated shows. "They're puzzles," he says of his show, "and I think people want to participate in the puzzle solving."

The success of his show has spawned a spinoff, "CSI: Miami," as well as dramas like "Crossing Jordan" and investigative shows like "The New Detectives." Clearly, such interest has given forensic scientists unprecedented prominence, but it also has led to serious misconceptions and unrealistic expectations. " 'Crossing Jordan,' " Vizzard quips, "proves that a medical examiner needs to have great legs."

Many of these shows, experts say, condense three distinct jobs - chemist, investigator, and crime-scene technician - into one person, to improve the narrative. They also often overstate the importance of forensic evidence.

As the crime-lab director in Texas' Tarrant County, Singer says he is being called to testify in more cases - even when his findings are insignificant - because juries now expect forensic evidence in every case. "I'm getting called to things that I never would have been called to before," he says. "There's definitely a change."

At universities, some students are shocked that forensic science demands extensive knowledge of chemistry and biology. "That straightens them out real quick from what they see on TV," says Robert Keppel, president of the Institute for Forensics in Seattle.

In the Peterson case, many journalists couldn't understand why it would take weeks, if not months, to analyze the DNA from the two bodies that washed ashore. "In fact, someone would have to drop everything they were doing and work on it for a week to get it done," says Singer. "They did a marvelous job, but they got questioned because it only takes the people on 'CSI' 48 hours."

"CSI" coexecutive producer Petersen realizes that the show causes misunderstandings, but he also sees some benefits. "It's a mixed blessing," he says. "We brought a lot of attention to [forensics]."

• Staff writer Gloria Goodale contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

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