My Future Career - Original Writing

In elementary school, one of my favorite days in grade school would be when my mom came in for her oral hygiene lessons. Even though my mom could have easily demonstrated proper techniques on how to brush and floss teeth with a dental model for my classes, she knew how excited I would always get when she called on me to personally demonstrate. I would brush in confidence those tooth surfaces, at a 45 degree angle and with small circular strokes. Promptly in the lesson, I would put the toothbrush vertically for those inside surfaces of my front teeth. My mom would end the brushing technique with a friendly reminder to brush for a full two minutes, twice a day. She also told the kids to think of triangles and to floss along the mesial and distal surfaces of their teeth, rather than straight down and cutting their gums. With every upcoming yearly demonstration, I honed that routine of mine, ensuring to my classmates the best way to keep the plague out. Even to this day, I have still got my middle school sketchbook in my desk drawer, where I had illustrated the cover as, “Dr. Pham, DDS”. Starting in my high school summer, I had my first shot to assist my parents with what I have always known to be as, “The Office.” In the day-to-day, I strove to follow my dad’s office procedures. Imagine, my young, impressionable self holding onto the large suction and water syringe as a patient’s wisdom were extracted; gums cut, that red blood flowing throughout the procedure.

In 2006, over 100 million people in the United States tuned in to watch either CSI or any if the other forensic and criminal investigation related television show each week (CJSG). Since then, the number of viewers has increased rapidly, as well as the amount of television shows with the same type of theme. As a result of the increase of these television programs, researchers are discovering a new phenomenon called the ‘CSI Effect’ that seems to be fueling an interest in forensic science and criminal investigations nationwide. This effect is actually the ability of criminal justice themed television shows to influence and increase victims’, jurors’ and criminals’ ideas about forensics, DNA testing and methods, and criminal investigations

I started writing fiction in elementary school, and never looked back. Tucked away among old report cards and craft projects, my mother still has the multicolored notebook containing my first short story, written when I was in first grade. (It's a treat. I may share it here at some point.) So, when I say that writing in ingrained in me, that it's part of who I am, I mean it.

Nearly anyone you ask would be familiar with the television show CSI. The crime lab is colorful and high-tech with all of the fun toys and machines that analysts use to test the ever abundant amount of forensic evidence from every crime scene. It makes for an exciting drama that you cannot help but get immersed in—it also gives us a false illusion, however, creating what has been dubbed as the “CSI effect” (Baskin, 2011). This effect describes the idea that crime shows such as CSI generate unreal expectations, making viewers believe that forensic evidence should be existent in all criminal trials, therefore affecting their overall perspective on a case (Baskin, 2011). But in reality, forensic labs are not that glamorous. In fact, the

My history as a writer began ever since I was in school. I have always loved writing. I also love to read. I find it easy to express how I feel on paper. Language arts has always been one of my favorite classes in school.

Have you ever watched a crime scene drama on television and now believe you are a forensic science expert? This is what you call the “Crime Scene Investigation Effect (CSI)”. It came into light in the early 2000’s. In 2008, Monica Robbers, an American criminologist, defined the CSI Effect as, “the phenomenon in which jurors hold unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence and investigation techniques, and have an increased interest in the discipline of forensic science”. (Economist 2010) Millions are watching these CSI drama TV shows. In 2012-13, NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, was named the most popular watched television program in America, bringing in more viewers than Sunday Night Football according to Mancini, author of The "CSI Effect" In an Actual Juror Sample: Why Crime Show Genre May Matter.

In this video Correspondent LOWELL BERGMAN questions the scientific validity of forensic science. He also expresses that it is not as simple as it appears on television shows. Detective. Joanna Grivetti who is a crime scene investigator in Richmond, California explains that the real life CSI is getting dirty, smelling things you don’t want to smell, seeing things you don’t want to see and dealing with blood in order to collect evidence that may seem small at the time, but will ultimately (possibly) be a big deal in solving the case.

After sharpening the instruments, we went over the OSHA power points for the Dental Hygiene Compliance exam. It was 3 PM and one of the Hygienist came to ask us if we wanted to see two kids for dental prophy. We were happy to have the opportunity to work on these two kids. My patient was a 5 year old girl who came to the clinic with her mom and brother. Her mom could not be with her in the operatory room because she was with her two year old son while Erika did a prophy. When my patient entered the room, she was a little afraid. I introduced myself and

The definition of forensic science is any scientific research, method, or theory used to analyze evidence in an attempt to solve legal cases (Cho). In recent years, there has been growing public interest in forensic science, arguably because of the numerous television programs that glamorize its practices. This phenomenon is part of what is known as the CSI effect, or the process through which devoted fans of popular crime dramas develop unrealistic notions of forensic science methods, practices, and their applications in real life cases (Mancini 544; Stevens 37; Ley, Jankowski, and Brewer 52). The CSI effect has had more negative impacts on forensic science and society than positive impacts, especially in regards to what goes on in the

I started out simply watching television shows like Castle and Criminal Minds. With such dramatized shows, it wasn’t long before I took an interest in the T.V.’s version of the Criminal Justice field. As I’ve grown older and more mature, I’ve been able to delve into the reality of crime solving. Anytime I’m interested in learning more about the technology we’ve developed to help solve cases I turn towards my new favorite television show; Forensic Files. Although the crime reenactments may be dramatized to pull in viewers, the cases are real, those involved with the case are real, and the means used to close the cases are real. Personally, the only downfall I find about the show is its age; the series having aired from 1996 to 2011. A lot of new technology has been developed since then like flying police drones and other robotic devices. Due to this, I turned to a recently aired television show called American Ripper which focuses on trying to prove whether or not the first major serial killer in the U.S., H.H. Holmes, was the notorious ‘Jack the Ripper’ The show re-opened multiple age old cases and used modern technology to prove the possibility of H.H. Holmes being ‘Jack the Ripper’. By watching the show I learned about the usage of testing y-chromosome DNA, the advantages of using underwater vehicles, and even how far our 3D facial reconstruction has come. I obviously still have a lot to learn about the Criminal Justice field and am anxiously waiting to begin my true journey into crime

With an innumerable amount of scientific television shows being broadcast each day on various networks it is important to analyze the quality of the science presented in each show. The ability to critically examine all scientific plots is impossible considering the sheer number of active shows but the sentiment is definitely profound; television shows engage millions of viewers each day with their fast paced plots but often glaze over legitimate scientific processes for the sake of keeping viewers interested, or simply misrepresent information to make their storyline more fluid. Crime shows, arguably one of the more popular genres of shows, encompass both riveting plot devices as well as mystery and complexity through the use of science. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Criminal Minds, NCIS, and Law and Order all perfectly illustrate this formula--each of these shows allows viewers to go on criminal investigations with the main characters and take glimpses of the behind-the-scenes work that actually help to convict criminals. Processes like DNA and fingerprint recognition, clothing fiber identification, and mortuary science pique the interests of many viewers (while also seeming to ground the show itself in reality). Unfortunately, some shows have stretched the truth of scientific processes by collecting evidence incorrectly or even getting database matches far too fast (in addition to other mistakes). In order to catch these mistakes first hand, I opted to watch Law and

I never thought anything of teeth when I was in elementary school. Every kid was snaggle toothed and knocking their pearly whites out while rough housing on the playground. Despite all of the carefree childsplay and good intentions, we reach a moment where we begin to realize our blemishes and imperfections. We constantly compare ourselves to those around us. At the ripe age of nine, the truths of the comparative society infected my young mind. A young mind now open to the criticism of the media, the criticism of my peers, but most of all, the criticism of the voices in my head. I was no longer a carefree child, but a preteen who could no longer see myself in my purest form, but as a product of social constructs and public standards. I

It was apparent during the dental visit, why this was not a favorite procedure for Daniel as he had an extremely hard time with the process of taking my mouth impression. The Process took a little over 3 hours as I sat patiently, though I gagged and chocked from the oversized mouth impressions that always ended up soggy. I’m grateful for the other students who stopped by to help him and the Faculty advisor who was so artful and taught Daniel and the other student helpers’ so effortlessly on the right process.

Dr. Robert Chen, the main orthodontist of New Age Braces, finally came over and checked on my teeth. Then he called over one of the female

Meanwhile, as time past my teeth situation had gotten out of control where I desperately told my mother that I wanted to go to the dentist. She immediately told me she would book me an appointment. As time past I went for a check up where I heard the great news I would need to get braces in the future. Growing up my mom was single parent with four kids so paying for braces wasn't her first priorities. Therefore we