Reel vs. Real: Experts talk ‘Hollywood effect’ on crime scene investigations
“The major misconception is anything is possible on TV. Any and all types of equipment you could ever imagine is available on TV,” said Lt. Tony Barbarotto, who serves on Memphis Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigation unit. “That is just not true. TV has no budget.” (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool)
A little over a decade ago, a serial robber was on the loose in Memphis.
His prime targets? Exxon gas stations.
On one particular day, he hit three gas stations. But a simple mistake at the scene of one of those robberies, and the keen eye of a crime scene investigator, would put the brakes on his crime spree and land him behind bars.
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Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers Memphis and Shelby County’s court system and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He formerly covered education and earned his B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis.
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