Being a Forensic Science major, getting asked about TV shows just comes with the territory. However, it doesn't mean that they aren't annoying. If you're a Forensic Science major, you're bound to hear these questions at some point or another.
"Oh, how fun! You want to do all that fun CSI stuff?"
Well, actually, the very first thing you learn is how inaccurate the show CSI is. There's actually something called the CSI Effect where TV shows such as CSI drastically skew what Forensic Science really is all about. I really don't feel like explaining that to you and watching you question everything you've known makes it awkward for everybody, so I'm probably just going to agree with you.
"Do you really want to cut open dead bodies?"
The answer is probably going to be no, and then while we explain what field we're really interested in we also get to watch the interest slowly but surely leave your eyes!
"Oh, so you plan on going to Medical School?"
Probably not, unless you're the person who wants to cut open the dead bodies or something of that nature.
"You get to work with all that DNA and solve all the cases?"
Actually, only 0.3% cases are solved using DNA. So, I won't solve all of the cases — I won't even solve 10% of them. That's not what you want to hear, so I'm probably just going to agree with you.
"Wow, you get to go to all of those crime scenes and be up close to all the action?"
Nope. There's a certain group of trained professionals that collect the evidence at the scenes (they're probably going to be cops), but then the evidence will be transported to me in the lab! It's exciting, I know.
"Have you ever seen *insert random crime show here*? You'll be just like that one forensic scientist on there!"
Since I've probably never even heard of the crime show you're talking about, I'm just going to nod and agree with you even though that forensic scientist is probably just a victim of the CSI Effect.
The winner of most frequently asked question:
"So, you get to be like Abby on NCIS? I love her! She's so edgy!"
Oh man, if I had a dollar every time I was compared to Abby, I could pay my tuition for a semester. This is one of those instances where I'm just going to nod and agree with you even though her character isn't accurate either. I'm just looking out for your feelings, really.
Even though being a forensic scientist won't be as glamorous and exciting as TV makes it out to be, it's going to be so great.
