Why is it that...

[Wombat311]

...in shows such as CSI (I watch it for the realism it portrays :rolleyes: ) they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches? :confused: (flahslights)

[Coastie 585]

Umm... Cause they... hmm... ?
Good question.

[fetom]

Dramatic effect. It makes you look smarter and cooler when you can find things with a torch {flashlight}

[Group9]

So the people in TV land know what they are supposed to be looking at. :D

[fatboyjim154]

they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches? :confused: (flahslights)

'Cos they couldn't find their own backside with both hands in the dark, Grissom holding a torch/flashlight helps them.

They feel the 30K CP warmth the bulb generates! :D

[KPDPOPO]

...in shows such as CSI (I watch it for the realism it portrays they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches? (flahslights)

Is that REALLY not how it is done in REAL life? :rolleyes: :D

[Nole795]

It's the same reason when you watch the old Superman episodes, he stands still when you shoot at him, but when you throw the gun at him, he ducks.

Typical Hollywood.

[tenfour]

Or when someone gets shot in hollywood they fly backwards 5 feet! I guess they skipped the chapter with Newtons laws.

[seltzer]

It's the same reason when you watch the old Superman episodes, he stands still when you shoot at him, but when you throw the gun at him, he ducks.

Typical Hollywood.

OMG! That is so true!! That brought back some flashbacks!!

[CTDL92]

...in shows such as CSI (I watch it for the realism it portrays :rolleyes: ) they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches? :confused: (flahslights)

Sorry but this is probably the only bit of realism in the entire show.

Is that REALLY not how it is done in REAL life?

The use of a flashlight aids a great deal when examining a surface for latent prints, by sidelighting what I am looking at the light will catch the prints. I use a flashlight almost constantly when processing any evidence outside of my office. So sorry to burst the bubble but it is how it's really done.

[chewy]

...in shows such as CSI (I watch it for the realism it portrays :rolleyes: ) they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches? :confused: (flahslights)

My wife and I often comment on that fact. Sometimes even in daylight when your searching under seats in a car a light helps but come on. They always go into a dark house to search for evidence and NEVER turn on the lights. Anyone who has ever done LE knows how much you can actually miss just using a flashlight as your eyes focus on just the area the light hits. That's why real crime guys have big light trees and such for non-lit areas.

My favorite is when they do this in broad daylight in Miami. I mean, if it's not bright enough in Miami during mid day then you need your eyes examined. And for GOD Sakes, TURN THE DAMN LIGHTS ON!

[fatboyjim154]

Sorry but this is probably the only bit of realism in the entire show.



The use of a flashlight aids a great deal when examining a surface for latent prints, by sidelighting what I am looking at the light will catch the prints. I use a flashlight almost constantly when processing any evidence outside of my office. So sorry to burst the bubble but it is how it's really done.

I am aware of the use of oblique lighting to enable you to see f/prints even shoe prints on doors/surfaces. My take on Wombats question was why do they use the light to see stuff you can see without the light.

Wombat, If I'm wrong I'll shut up. :D

[KPDPOPO]

The use of a flashlight aids a great deal when examining a surface for latent prints, by sidelighting what I am looking at the light will catch the prints. I use a flashlight almost constantly when processing any evidence outside of my office. So sorry to burst the bubble but it is how it's really done.

No bubble here bursted. My comment, that you quoted, was a general take on the many Hollywood gadgets used on television that are not actually used in real life police work. As well as how interesting it is that, "they will be examining a house in broad daylight, with plenty of ambient light from outside yet they still use their torches".

Of course I am not an LEO and may have no idea what I am talking about. I can assure you it will not be the first time that has happened. ;)

[Seand442]

Or when someone gets shot in hollywood they fly backwards 5 feet! I guess they skipped the chapter with Newtons laws.

If anyone watches "Mythbusters," they did a segment on the how to special effects of this exact topic. Damn that equal opposite reaction thing.

[JustMe25]

:p Aren't all of them in their 20's, skinny and super model look alike as well, and can solve crimes within twenty minutes or less. :rolleyes: