Bones: TV Show or Preposterous Fantasy?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion critiques the TV show "Bones," highlighting its unrealistic portrayal of forensic science and law enforcement. Participants point out the absurdity of an FBI agent investigating local crimes without police involvement and the lack of procedural integrity in handling evidence. The show, based on the works of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, requires viewers to suspend disbelief regarding its depiction of forensic specialists and their roles. Despite its flaws, some viewers enjoy the entertainment value and artistic license taken in the storytelling.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of forensic anthropology and its real-world applications.
  • Familiarity with law enforcement procedures and jurisdictional authority.
  • Knowledge of the role of forensic specialists in criminal investigations.
  • Awareness of the concept of artistic license in television and film.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the real-life work of forensic anthropologists, particularly Kathy Reichs.
  • Explore the legal jurisdiction of FBI agents in local crime investigations.
  • Learn about the procedures for evidence collection and crime scene integrity.
  • Investigate the portrayal of forensic science in other TV shows and films for comparison.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for forensic science enthusiasts, law enforcement professionals, and viewers interested in the accuracy of crime dramas in television. It provides insights into the discrepancies between real-life forensic practices and their fictional representations.

Evo
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I watch this show, but it's absolutely preposterous.

Take last night's episode, for instance. Workers at a cardboard recycling warehouse see what looks like an image of the "Virgin Mary" in a sheet of cardboard. So an FBI agent is sent (we have no idea how or why) to investigate, along with his sidekick from some private institution called the 'Jeffersonian Institute" (think Smithsonian Institute) since they seem to collect museum items but for some unknown reason they have a bunch of forensic pathologists working there that (and this is where the story line gets even flakier), these people run out and grab dead bodies (usually homicides) that were just discovered and bring them back to their lab to try to figure out the cause of death.

What?

Ok, first, the FBI has no jurisdiction in a local crime scene. Mysteriously, the FBI agent shows up with the sidekick and there are no police, no local authorities, the body is not taken to the local coroner's office for an autopsy. No effort is used to maintain the integrity of the crime scene. They pick up and remove evidence without keeping any records. :rolleyes:

"Suspects" mysteriously appear in a police type interrogation room where they are then illegally interrogated by civilian employees of the "Institute", oh and of course by the FBI agent that has no legal jurisdiction. :smile:

Anyone else watch this show?
 
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Watch any show for more than ten minutes and you'll realize how preposterous they are.

For example, there are only five Forensics Specialists in all of Las Vegas, which is why they're present on every case and are responsible for every aspect of the job, and several other department's jobs - from spending three days hacking through a block of ashphalt (what? no underlings?) to interrogating prisoners (what? no police?) to gunpoint raids (what? no SWAT?).
 
I watch Family Channel and Disney Channel.

I don't think it gets more ridiculous than that.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Watch any show for more than ten minutes and you'll realize how preposterous they are.

For example, there are only five Forensics Specialists in all of Las Vegas, which is why they're present on every case and are responsible for every aspect of the job, and several other department's jobs - from spending three days hacking through a block of ashphalt (what? no underlings?) to interrogating prisoners (what? no police?) to gunpoint raids (what? no SWAT?).
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :-p

A new tv plot - "Forensic Posse". A team of renegade pathologists decide to take the law into their own hands...

Dr G...Medical bounty hunter. :smile:
 
I haven't seen Bones, but after Evo's glowing endorsement I'll be sure to catch the next episode :rolleyes:
 
Evo said:
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :-p

They should!

Part of the excitement.
 
It's on right now.
 
I love this show. My feelings are, if I wanted reality I'd go outside. But the outside is dirty and hot and I'd rather stay inside and watch TV. Plus, as insane as some of the plots are it still makes more sense than the crap that goes on in real life.
 
I'm watching it right now. The episode after the one that you're talking about, dealing with death metal bands. I like it.
As for reality, call it artistic license. The show is based upon Kathy Reichs, who is a real-life forensic anthropologist, and the character Constance Brennan is named after the protagonist of the novels that she wrote based upon her work.
In the same way, Sue Thomas FBEye was based upon the real woman of the same name and same function, but I'm sure that the TV cases weren't even close to realistic.
 
  • #10
I love the show, but it really requires leaving reality at the door. When you stop and think about it, this could only happen in another galaxy, far, far away. :-p

Did you love Sweets being a death metal fan? :smile:
 
  • #11
Evo said:
Did you love Sweets being a death metal fan? :smile:

It's always the quite ones... :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Anyone else watch this show?
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
:smile: You are the last person I would have expected to watch this show!

Why are all of the women gorgeous and the men below average in looks? Except for "Steely Booth", I first liked him as Angel in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

Another wild thing in the show.
Another element conceived for the show was the "Angelator", a holographic projector
Got to love that.
 
  • #14
russ_watters said:
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!

Ok. I've got to watch it now.
I'll probably hate myself for it.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :-p
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :-p
 
  • #16
~christina~ said:
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :-p
:smile:
 
  • #17
Evo said:
Another wild thing in the show. Got to love that.

Well, your quote didn't show up in my quote, but in reference to the 'Angelator'... CSI (all versions) has been using the same SFX for a couple of years. I can't help wondering how many viewers think that such a thing really exists.