Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 May 17

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Today's featured article
The CSI effect is any of several ways in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation influences its public perception. The term most often refers to the belief that jurors have come to demand more forensic evidence in criminal trials, thereby raising the standard of proof for prosecutors. Although this belief is widely held among American legal professionals, several studies have shown that crime shows are unlikely to cause such an effect. There are several other manifestations of the CSI effect. Greater public awareness of forensic science has increased the demand for forensic evidence in police investigations, which in turn has significantly increased workloads for crime laboratories. The number and popularity of forensic science degree programs at the university level have greatly increased worldwide, though some new programs have been criticized for inadequately preparing their students for real forensic work. It is possible that forensic science shows teach criminals how to conceal evidence of their crimes, thereby making it more difficult for investigators to solve cases. (more...) Recently featured: USS President– American Goldfinch – Virginia Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that double-tailed tent spiders (pictured) have to fend off food-stealing dewdrop spiders who take up residence in their webs? ... that English sculptor Ronald Pope learnt how to work with metals at Rolls-Royce during World War II? ... that the Manhyia Palace in Ghana is the seat of the Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) as well as his official residence? ... that Baron Ludwig von Westphalen was a friend and mentor of young Karl Marx? ... that Easwaran's Dhammapada states that the joy in the Buddha's message is "that he has found a way for everyone, not just great sages, to put an end to sorrow"? ... that in 2008, Burmese 88 Generation democracy activist Mie Mie was sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for "illegally using electronic media" and "forming an illegal organization"? ... that a reviewer unfavourably compared the dialogue in the BBC docudrama Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend to that of Holby City? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on its final mission, delivering the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (artist's rendering pictured) for installation on the International Space Station. At least 12 Arab protesters are killed during Nakba Day protests and marches on Israel's borders. Kenyan long-distance runner Samuel Wanjiru, who won the men's marathon at the 2008 Summer Olympics, dies at the age of 24. In ice hockey, the IIHF World Championship concludes with Finland defeating Sweden in the final. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund, is held without bail in New York City on charges of sexual assault. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 17: Constitution Day in Norway (1814); Galician Literature Day in Galicia, Spain 1642 – The Société Notre-Dame de Montréal founded a permanent mission known as Ville-Marie, which eventually grew into the city of Montreal. 1902 – The Antikythera mechanism, the oldest known surviving geared mechanism, was discovered among artifacts retrieved from a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. 1954 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing racial segregation in public schools because "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal". 1980 – On the eve of the Peruvian general election, the Maoist guerrilla group Shining Path attacked a polling location in the town of Chuschi, Ayacucho, starting the internal conflict in Peru. 2009 – Dalia Grybauskaitė (pictured) was elected the first female President of Lithuania, receiving 68.18 percent of the vote. More anniversaries: May 16 – May 17 – May 18 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 17, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

John Shea is an American film, television, and theatre actor best known for his role as Lex Luthor in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He has acted in a number of international films, including Achchamundu! Achchamundu!. The appearance made him the first American to appear in a Tamil language film.

Photo: Michael Calas

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