---
title: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
year: 2000
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/csi-crime-scene-investigation-2000"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 1431
imdb_id: "tt0247082"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 15
episodes_count: 335
runtime_minutes: 43
community_rating: 7.6
vote_count: 1404
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/csi-crime-scene-investigation-2000

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American procedural drama television series that aired on the CBS network from October 6, 2000, to September 27, 2015. Created by Anthony E. Zuiker, the program follows a team of forensic investigators working with the Las Vegas Police Department to solve criminal cases. The investigators scour crime scenes to collect irrefutable evidence, utilizing advanced scientific methods and technology to find the missing pieces that solve mysteries in Las Vegas, Nevada. The series spanned fifteen seasons and a total of 337 original episodes, including the television movie Immortality. Jerry Bruckheimer served as one of the show's executive producers. The cast included William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Laurence Fishburne, Ted Danson, and George Eads. As the first entry in the CSI franchise, the show became one of the most popular television programs in the United States and received Emmy Award recognition. It is also referred to as CSI or CSI: Las Vegas.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A team of forensic investigators uses advanced science to solve complex criminal cases in Las Vegas."

### Why Watch
- focuses on scientific methodology
- features a long-running narrative

### Caveats & Content Note
- can be formulaic
- contains graphic crime scenes
- Tone & Suitability: The series features graphic depictions of crime scenes and forensic investigations.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: procedural, forensic, investigative, dramatic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Sky Store |
| **Canada (CA)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | Pluto TV | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | BINGE, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Foxtel Now, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | 7plus | Apple TV Store |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (23 Episodes)
### Season 2 (23 Episodes)
Season two of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation picks up the work of the Las Vegas forensic unit as it proceeds through a full slate of twenty‑three episodes. The series continues to follow the team of investigators who are trained to solve criminal cases by meticulously examining crime scenes, collecting evidence, and applying scientific analysis. At the centre of the unit is Dr. Gil Grissom, a highly respected forensic entomologist with a doctorate in biology, who directs the investigations and mentors his colleagues. The season maintains the show’s blend of crime, drama, and mystery, presenting a new case each episode while allowing the characters to develop within the high‑pressure environment of the Las Vegas Strip. Throughout the season the investigators confront a variety of homicide, assault, and other violent incidents, relying on their specialized skills to reconstruct events and bring perpetrators to justice. The narrative arc emphasizes the procedural rigor of forensic science, the teamwork required to interpret complex evidence, and the personal dedication of the staff as they navigate the challenges of a demanding metropolitan jurisdiction.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- The series follows a Las Vegas forensic investigation team trained to solve crimes through detailed scene analysis.
- Dr. Gil Grissom leads the unit; he is a forensic entomologist with a doctorate in biology.
- The show blends crime, drama, and mystery, presenting a new case each episode.
- Season two consists of twenty‑three episodes that continue the team’s ongoing investigative work.

### Season 3 (23 Episodes)
Season three of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, comprising twenty‑three episodes, extends the ongoing narrative of the Las Vegas forensic unit. The series, created by Anthony E. Zuiker and first broadcast in October 2000, follows a team of investigators trained to solve criminal cases by meticulously examining physical evidence. Operating as the United States’ second dedicated crime‑scene laboratory, the Las Vegas division continues to apply scientific methods to uncover truth in a city known for its complex crimes. Returning cast members, including William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger, lead the effort to interpret trace evidence, DNA, and other forensic data, reinforcing the series’ premise that “evidence never lies.” Throughout the season the investigators confront a variety of cases that test their expertise and collaborative dynamics, while the overarching saga of the show’s procedural storytelling persists. The season maintains the show’s blend of crime, drama, and mystery, emphasizing the role of forensic science in modern law enforcement and the personal dedication of the team members to deliver justice.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- CSI was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and debuted on October 6, 2000, establishing a long‑running crime‑drama franchise.
- The series centers on a Las Vegas forensic investigation team that serves as the United States’ second criminal laboratory.
- Key characters include William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger, who lead the team in analyzing evidence to solve cases.
- The core premise is that evidence never lies, and the investigators are trained to solve crimes by scouring physical clues.

### Season 4 (23 Episodes)
Season 4 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation continues the long‑running narrative of the Las Vegas forensic unit across twenty‑three episodes. The series follows a team of highly trained investigators who examine crime scenes, collect and analyze physical evidence, and reconstruct events to solve murders, assaults, and other violent crimes. Building on the foundation established in earlier seasons, the fourth season maintains the show’s focus on scientific methodology, detailed laboratory work, and the personal dynamics among the investigators as they confront increasingly complex cases. The season’s episodes further develop the overarching saga of the department, highlighting the pressures of high‑profile investigations in a city known for its nightlife and tourism. While the core premise remains the same—using forensic science to uncover truth—the season expands the scope of the team’s challenges, reinforcing the series’ reputation for combining procedural drama with intricate storytelling set against the backdrop of Las Vegas.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- CSI was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and premiered on October 6, 2000.
- The series centers on a Las Vegas forensic investigation team trained to solve crimes through detailed evidence analysis.
- William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger star as lead investigators in the early seasons.
- Season 4 continues the show’s overarching saga and consists of twenty‑three episodes.

### Season 5 (25 Episodes)
{
  "overview": "Season 5 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, comprising 25 episodes, carries forward the ongoing story of the Las Vegas Crime Scene Investigation unit. The series, created by Anthony E. Zuiker and first broadcast in October 2000, follows a team of forensic investigators who apply scientific methods to uncover the truth behind violent crimes. In this fifth season the established core investigators—originally portrayed by William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger—continue to lead the laboratory, employing techniques such as trace evidence analysis, DNA profiling, and ballistics to solve a variety of cases that unfold across the Nevada desert and the city’s casino‑filled streets. The narrative maintains the franchise’s emphasis on the principle that “evidence never lies,” positioning the Las Vegas division as the second criminal laboratory in the United States. Throughout the season the team confronts new challenges while reinforcing the procedural framework that defines the series, illustrating the collaborative effort required to translate microscopic clues into courtroom‑ready conclusions. Each episode presents a self‑contained investigation while contributing to the season’s broader thematic focus on the limits of technology and personal resilience within the high‑pressure environment of the lab.",
  "primer": [
    "CSI was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and premiered on October 6 2000.",
    "The series follows a Las Vegas forensic division, the second criminal lab in the United States, that solves crimes by analyzing evidence.",
    "Original lead investigators are William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger, who head the team from the first season.",
    "

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S5)**:
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 25 episodes.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 117
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 7 (6%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 110 (94%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue
- **Networks / Studios**: CBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **George Eads** as *Nick Stokes*
- **Eric Szmanda** as *Greg Sanders*
- **Robert David Hall** as *Al Robbins*
- **Paul Guilfoyle** as *Jim Brass*
- **Jorja Fox** as *Sara Sidle*
- **David Berman** as *David Phillips*
- **Marg Helgenberger** as *Catherine Willows*
- **Wallace Langham** as *David Hodges*
- **William L. Petersen** as *Gil Grissom*
- **Gary Dourdan** as *Warrick Brown*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: How many seasons does the show have?
The series ran for a total of fifteen seasons.

### Q: When did the show air?
It aired on CBS from October 6, 2000, to September 27, 2015.

### Q: Who created the series?
The series was created by Anthony E. Zuiker.

### Q: Where is the show set?
The series is set in Las Vegas, Nevada.

### Q: How many episodes were produced?
The series produced 337 original episodes, including the television movie Immortality.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI:_Crime_Scene_Investigation)
- [CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series 2000–2015) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247082/)
- [Home - NUS CSI](https://csi.nus.edu.sg/)
- [Structural Engineering Software | Computers and Structures, Inc.](https://www.csiamerica.com/)
- [Crime Scene Investigation - CSI](https://csi.fandom.com/wiki/CSI:Crime_Scene_Investigation)
- [CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Synopsis & Spin-offs | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/CSI-Crime-Scene-Investigation)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*