# Things I learned from watching TV cop shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [May 9, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820 "2023-05-09T18:54:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/141 "2023-05-13T19:07:20Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Forensics laboratories are normally staffed by young, good looking people, that really don’t have anything to do otherwise than jump on _your priority case_ _ **right now** _! …and they are all armed and ready to go chase down a suspect while the rest of the department puts up crime scene tape and tries to look busy. Apparently there is a 7 year PhD program out there with a combination major of Physics, Chemistry, Computer science, Biology, and competitive handgun shooting. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/142 "2023-05-13T20:19:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The person they’re looking for has been killed, and his body not discovered for several days. Lennie is telling the guy to light a cigar to cover the smell of the body. The smell of a decop human body is about the worst ever. > [@drachillix](#): > > and they are all armed and ready to go chase down a suspect Yeah, Sure certain levels of CSI’s are LEOs and carry a gun- for their own defense. Nor do CSIs ever interview suspects. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/143 "2023-05-13T22:21:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, Sure certain levels of CSI’s are LEOs and carry a gun- for their own defense. Nor do CSIs ever interview suspects. They are LEOs in the eyes of the law but IME they typically operate more like Dexter (minus the extracurriculars). Specialists that show up, do their thing, then back to the lab. None of the ones I saw in Fresno carried guns. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/144 "2023-05-13T22:52:54Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > They are LEOs in the eyes of the law but IME they typically operate more like Dexter (minus the extracurriculars). Specialists that show up, do their thing, then back to the lab. None of the ones I saw in Fresno carried guns. In some citys, like apparently Vegas, they can. But you are correct. The old CSI with Grissom, kept them doing what they really did… well as if they had a huge budget. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/145 "2023-05-13T23:10:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Anyone who goes out in the early morning to walk their dog or bird watch will surely come across a dead body. Usually all covered picturesquely with dew drops. Sometimes the dog finds the body. The birdwatcher will drop their binoculars. I have twice found dead bodies in the morning. Both times were on my commute to work. Once was someone frozen to death on the sidewalk in a Chicago winter, the second time was someone dead on the stairs leading into/out of a subway station, again, in a Chicago winter. So yes, people do find dead bodies. It’s rather alarming. I can, however, state that they are not “picturesque” even when frosted over in the bright morning sunshine. Dogs also find dead bodies. Occasionally they even alert their owners by dragging a “prize” home. So, really, I find the artful plot detail of a random person finding a dead body while going about some other activity to be quite plausible. Although in real life it’s all a lot sadder and uglier. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/146 "2023-05-13T23:14:29Z")
My biological father found a dead body floating in a river behind his house. It happens I guess. I’d rather not. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/147 "2023-05-13T23:14:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The person they’re looking for has been killed, and his body not discovered for several days. Lennie is telling the guy to light a cigar to cover the smell of the body. Ha ha ha ha ha… no. Not gonna work. The stench of decaying flesh is not something that can be covered. I mean, I get that that is what is being implied in the script, but it’s not reality. A smear of Vick’s under your nose is not gonna help, either. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/148 "2023-05-13T23:15:50Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > My biological father found a dead body floating in a river behind his house. It happens I guess. I’d rather not. I would have been happy to pass on the experience. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/149 "2023-05-14T00:46:29Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I think we can thank [Aaron Sorkin](https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/create-walk-and-talk-scene/) for that. 🧐 Maybe. Without looking it up, I’m pretty sure the walk and talk was a staple before AS. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/150 "2023-05-14T01:30:43Z")
Yes, but he perfected it, and it was his trademark. * * * * * * > [@Broomstick](#): > > I have twice found dead bodies in the morning. … I can, however, state that they are not “picturesque” even when frosted over in the bright morning sunshine. I’m sorry you’ve had that experience in real life. My post was meant in the slightly humorous vein of this thread. Sorry if I seemed flippant or offensive. * * * * * * To return to the thread’s theme: No matter how many people you’ve killed or seen killed, you will always be _“fine!”_ and resent any directive to see the department shrink. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/151 "2023-05-14T02:32:30Z")
If someone feels that the jury didn’t deliver justice in the courtroom, they will try to deliver it themselves on the courthouse steps just after the trial. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/152 "2023-05-14T06:09:40Z")
In Russia, it’s quite common to find frozen corpses on the street during the winter. They’re usually homeless, elderly, or drunkards, and various permutations thereof. Another thing that’s common is finding people killed by icicles falling from roofs while they’re out going about their business, like buying groceries. I remember going to the Anglican church one Sunday and arriving moments after the authorities had removed a body from the street across the way. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/153 "2023-05-14T14:32:16Z")
I remember a few early morning body discoveries at work. Often by people walking their dog. None that are popping into my head were natural. Several body dumps of murders and a suicide. Most people have the decency to die in their own home or around people when it’s natural. This was in a suburban setting so multiply it by whatever factor you think is appropriate for a city like New York. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/154 "2023-05-14T17:26:22Z")
I’ve noticed that when questioned by the police an innocent person will say in a surprised tone of voice something like “and you think I did it?”. A guilty person never says that. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/155 "2023-05-14T23:33:06Z")
There is no such thing as a safe house. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/156 "2023-05-15T00:59:51Z")
And guarding a safe house is the most dangerous job in law enforcement. Also a job assigned to the dumbest officers available. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/157 "2023-05-15T01:02:21Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Every police officer is assigned a partner, regardless of their specific duties or how thinly stretched the department is. Much like penguins, these partnerships are exclusive and last for life. The Chief will ensure that the officers so partnered are as incompatible as possible. Not only are the partners incompatible but one is a raw rookie while the other is a seasoned veteran. The intent is for the veteran to mentor the rookie, but the veteran deeply resents spending all his time giving the rookie basic training on how to be a police officer, while also saving the rookie’s ass from the various scrapes he’s gotten himself into. On the other hand, the rookie is in better physical shape and can easily run down the wiry suspect in sneakers while the veteran is still trying to get his seatbelt unfastened ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/158 "2023-05-15T01:05:39Z")
And rookies apparently aren’t qualified to drive a car. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/159 "2023-05-15T01:15:09Z")
That’s because the rookie is busy with the radio, saying “10-4” and all that, while the veteran knows the fastest way to get to a crime scene across town is to pull a U-turn in the middle of the block. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/160 "2023-05-15T01:18:07Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > And guarding a safe house is the most dangerous job in law enforcement. Also a job assigned to the dumbest officers available. The mortality rate is damn near 100%. And no one really gives them much thought after they are killed. Too bad for ol’ whats his name. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=9)