Criminals are learning what not to leave behind at crime scenes and getting much better at covering their tracks. Crime show effects on criminals can also be looked at on a flip side which is much more positive. It is likely that the message being conveyed to many is that no matter how they try to cover their crime, forensic science will reveal their identity.

Whether we look at the spencer reid birthday or negative effects on the criminal, victim or juror, the cultivation theory is supported by any one of the findings. The cultivation theory holds that television cultivates a distorted world view in which one's perception of social reality resembles the reality portrayed in the television program. When looking at crime shows, the cultivation theory would say that the impact on an individual would be the tendency to overestimate the rate of violent crime or the prevalence of law enforcement officials.

We are exposed to a plethora of crime shows. The writers are increasingly creative and have a tireless supply of inspiration from real life events. And it seems that life events are being equally affected by the shows themselves! The emotional responses that these shows tend to elicit are carried over into our views, opinions and expectations of real life scenarios.