"How do you know all this crap?" : The Representation of Cognitive Processes and Knowledge in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Sherlock

Abstract: In contemporary crime drama there has been a shift of main character from the forensic scientist to the consultant. This put the representation of knowledge in a different light. In this study the focus is on how, and what kind of cognitive processes and knowledge are represented in two crime dramas with consultants as main characters; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Sherlock. Basing the analysis on concepts of cognitive processes and knowledge, it becomes evident that due to the shift in main character the representation of knowledge also has changed; from an institutionalized and science based view on knowledge to the legitimization of a personal, uncritical and fast way of gathering knowledge.