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Reality shows like the First 48 are dramatic in nature, but that's in part because ratings are highly sought. The people in the show are definitely exploited, as well as the rest, going all the way back to the first several reality shows conducted for entertainment purposes. This reminds me of the Real World and its long legacy of truth-telling scenes of raw conflict, emotions, and behavior between unfamiliar adults.
The characters in the First 48 have to sign up to be followed and recorded, without pursuit of legal action regarding the misuse of their image and voice. With that said, anything that happens is unexpected and yet, expected. It seems that not much can be done after that agreement is made. I don't mean to sound so passive and pessimistic, but we are all adults who have knowledge of how brutal situations can get.
