CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

7.6
Yr 2000
Rt 43m
Status Ended
Crime Drama Mystery
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Series Brief

Overview

A Las Vegas team of forensic investigators are trained to solve criminal cases by scouring the crime scene, collecting irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that solve the mystery.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 70 /100

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is widely recognized for its forensic focus and high-tech visual style. Critics often highlight the show's blend of dramatic graphics and special effects, which successfully illustrate investigative science, though some reviewers argue that this emphasis on the crime scene results in limited emotional resonance for the characters.

While the series is noted for a occasionally gratuitous reliance on shock value and gruesome imagery, it remains a durable procedural. It has been described as a modern iteration of classic police dramas, characterized by a methodical, by-the-book approach that allowed the franchise to maintain stability even through significant cast changes.

“The show was known for its graphic depictions of gruesome crimes, acts of violence, and autopsies.”

“Character development is much less important than depicting the crimes; as a consequence, the show lacks a certain emotional resonance.”

“It is, in some respects, a throwback to older by-the-book cop shows such as Dragnet.”

“There is good juice behind CSI despite its early predilection toward shock value.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel
US • CA • UK
Paramount Plus Essential
US
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
US • CA • UK
Show 6 more
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
US
Paramount Plus Premium
CA • US • UK
Paramount Plus
UK • CA
Paramount Plus Basic with Ads
CA • UK
Pluto TV
CA
Hulu
US
Why fans love it

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation shifted the procedural focus toward the laboratory. Premiering in 2000, the series centered the narrative on the microscopic details of a crime scene. Where previous detective dramas relied on interrogations and gut instincts, this show prioritized the physical trail left behind. The result is a cold, methodical examination of evidence that turns blood spatter and fiber samples into the primary witnesses.

William L. Petersen anchors the early seasons as a lead investigator who approaches every homicide with a clinical detachment. The tension stems not from high-speed chases, but from the quiet wait for DNA results or the analysis of a single bullet casing. By framing the criminal investigation as a puzzle of science rather than a game of cat and mouse, the series established an approach to the crime genre that remains influential.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 10
Longest run 335 eps
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne
as Raymond Langston
60 episodes
William L. Petersen
William L. Petersen
as Gil Grissom
194 episodes
Marg Helgenberger
Marg Helgenberger
as Catherine Willows
264 episodes
Gary Dourdan
Gary Dourdan
as Warrick Brown
183 episodes
Ted Danson
Ted Danson
as D.B. Russell
84 episodes
George Eads
George Eads
as Nick Stokes
335 episodes
Jorja Fox
Jorja Fox
as Sara Sidle
305 episodes
Eric Szmanda
Eric Szmanda
as Greg Sanders
332 episodes
Show 67 more
Robert David Hall as Al Robbins 327 episodes Paul Guilfoyle as Jim Brass 317 episodes Wallace Langham as David Hodges 220 episodes Elisabeth Harnois as Morgan Brody 85 episodes Elisabeth Shue as Julie Finlay 71 episodes David Berman as David Phillips 284 episodes Jon Wellner as Henry Andrews 125 episodes Pamela Gidley as Teri Miller 5 episodes Liev Schreiber as Michael Keppler 4 episodes Meredith Scott Lynn as Carol Allred 4 episodes Nicholas Lea as Chris Bezich 4 episodes Melinda Clarke as Lady Heather 6 episodes Judith Scott as Jenna Williams 6 episodes Timothy Carhart as Eddie Willows 4 episodes Glenn Morshower as Brian Mobley 7 episodes Jeffrey D. Sams as Cyrus Lockwood 9 episodes Jessica Lucas as Ronnie Lake 4 episodes Anita Gillette as Lily Flynn 4 episodes Madison McReynolds as Lindsey Willows 9 episodes Teal Redmann as Ellie Brass 5 episodes Skip O'Brien as Ray O'Riley 24 episodes Edmund Wyson as Officer Devine 6 episodes Christopher Wiehl as Hank Peddigrew 7 episodes Xander Berkeley as Rory Atwater 5 episodes Tom Gallop as Randy Painter 5 episodes Ty Upshaw as Police Officer 6 episodes James Patrick Stuart as Adam Matthews 8 episodes Meta Golding as Rachel 5 episodes Eric Stonestreet as Ronnie Litre 13 episodes Romy Rosemont as Jacqui Franco 14 episodes Scott Wilson as Sam Braun 9 episodes Aisha Tyler as Mia Dickerson 14 episodes Charley Rossman as Officer Beltran 5 episodes Mark Valley as Daniel Shaw 5 episodes Erik Jensen as Jeffrey Sinclair 6 episodes Palmer Davis as Margaret Finn 13 episodes Wayne Wilderson as Paramedic 6 episodes Eden Marie James as Civilian Employee 5 episodes Victoria Prescott as Judy Tremont 12 episodes Lauren Lee Smith as Riley Adams 21 episodes Shelli Bergh as Officer Shelley 6 episodes Louise Lombard as Sofia Curtis 53 episodes José Zúñiga as Chris Cavaliere 12 episodes Michael Bryan French as Dr. Franks 7 episodes Vincent Duvall as Jack Parker 6 episodes Alimi Ballard as Kevin Crawford 14 episodes Kay Panabaker as Lindsey Willows 5 episodes Paula Francis as News Anchor 27 episodes Gerald McCullouch as Bobby Dawson 36 episodes Jon K. Farless as CSI Tech Murph 6 episodes Liz Vassey as Wendy Simms 76 episodes Jeffrey D. Stevens as Paramedic 9 episodes Bill Irwin as Nate Haskell 9 episodes Tangie Ambrose as Miss Kitty 5 episodes Joseph Patrick Kelly as Joe Metcalf 42 episodes Terry Bozeman as Brad Lewis 15 episodes Sheeri Rappaport as Mandy Webster 38 episodes Geoffrey Rivas as Sam Vega 21 episodes Barbara Eve Harris as Sherry Liston 5 episodes Enrique Murciano as Carlos Moreno 5 episodes Conor O'Farrell as Jeffrey McKeen 13 episodes Archie Kao as Archie Johnson 102 episodes Alex Carter as Detective Vartann 40 episodes Lewis T. Powell as Officer Norman 5 episodes Larry Mitchell as Officer Mitchell 98 episodes Larry Sullivan as Andy Akers 39 episodes Marc Vann as Conrad Ecklie 67 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where CSI: Crime Scene Investigation overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

detective police las vegas criminal investigation forensic murder investigation crime investigation police procedural crime scene homicide detective forensic evidence forensic expert crime scene investigation crime scene investigator
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
October 06, 2000
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
43 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
1,415