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Nation, identity and the fascination with forensic science in Sherlock Holmes and CSI

University of South Alabama, USA, eharrington{at}usouthal.edu

Although the popular television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation presents cutting-edge images and laboratory techniques, it reiterates the reassuring ideological message and the glorification of the man of science that typify Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. While the Holmes stories use reassuring, formulaic narratives to consolidate a normative national identity and counter increasing disenchantment with empire, CSI replays a similar sort of procedural detective story to reassure viewers with the fantasy that the United States can be secured amidst threats of violence and terrorism, that individual identity, as well as national identity, can be fixed and scientifically assured.

Key Words: crime • CSI • detective • forensic science • gender • nation • race • Sherlock Holmes • television

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