The popular TeeVee show NCIS purports to use science to solve most of the difficult bits of its cases, almost always murders. Since this is about a TeeVee show, I was torn betwixt posting this piece here or on Popular Culture, but chose here because it will get a little geeky.
Before I continue, let me tell you that I like the program very much, not so much for the science but for excellent script writing and character development. I think that it is important to recognize a well crafted program. Since most viewers are not technically proficient, the science is not a problem for them.
But it is for me. I am reminded of another popular TeeVee show from years, the Jack Klugman one called Quincy, M. E., that relied heavily on fictionalized scientific methods. I had a boss at one time who coined a phrase that I shall reveal later.