---
title: "CSI: Miami"
year: 2002
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/csi-miami-2002"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 1620
imdb_id: "tt0313043"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 10
episodes_count: 232
runtime_minutes: 42
community_rating: 7.7
vote_count: 1726
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# CSI: Miami (2002) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/csi-miami-2002

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

CSI: Miami is an American procedural drama television series that aired from 2002 to 2012. The program follows a team of Crime Scene Investigators employed by the Miami-Dade Police Department. Much like their counterparts in the original Las Vegas-based series, these investigators utilize physical evidence to solve grisly murders. The show incorporates a mix of deduction, gritty subject matter, and character-driven drama to explore the work of the forensic team. A primary distinction in this installment of the franchise is that the Miami investigators operate as police officers first and scientists second. By employing advanced scientific methods and technology, the team works to resolve complex criminal cases within their jurisdiction. The series is established as part of the broader CSI franchise, maintaining a stylistic connection to the original production while focusing on the specific operational environment of the Miami-Dade department. This procedural drama highlights the intersection of law enforcement and forensic science through the lens of specialized investigations conducted in Miami, Florida.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Miami-Dade investigators solve grisly murders by combining forensic science with police procedure."

### Why Watch
- character-driven drama
- focus on physical evidence

### Caveats & Content Note
- subject matter may be intense
- Tone & Suitability: The series features gritty subject matter related to criminal investigations.

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

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Hulu, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Canada (CA)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | None | 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 (24 Episodes)
### Season 2 (24 Episodes)
CSI: Miami Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department as they use physical evidence. The team of criminal investigators from Miami, under the leadership of David Caruso, is capable of solving murder cases that other laboratories would give up on due to their difficulty. The season unfolds as part of the broader television run of the drama, mystery, and crime series that first began in 2002 and features work by various directors.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department.
- The team is led by David Caruso.
- The investigators handle difficult murder cases that other laboratories would give up on.
- The overarching saga is set within the Miami-Dade jurisdiction as part of the 2002 drama, mystery, and crime television series.

### Season 3 (24 Episodes)
CSI: Miami Season 3 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department as they use physical evidence to investigate crimes. The team of criminalists from Miami, operating under the leadership of David Caruso, works to solve murder cases that other laboratories might abandon due to their difficulty. The season's narrative arc focuses on the ongoing investigative work and professional challenges faced by the forensic science personnel in Miami as they process evidence and solve complex criminal cases within their jurisdiction.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department.
- The team specializes in utilizing physical evidence to solve complex crimes.
- The Miami criminalists are led by David Caruso.
- The unit handles difficult murder cases that other laboratories might abandon due to their complexity.

### Season 4 (25 Episodes)
CSI: Miami Season 4 continues the overarching saga of the crime scene investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The series follows the team of criminalists as they use physical evidence to investigate and solve murder cases in Miami. Operating under the leadership of David Caruso's character, the team takes on complex investigations that other laboratories might find too difficult and abandon. Across 25 episodes, the investigators continue their work within the drama, mystery, and crime television series.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department.
- The team of criminalists uses physical evidence to investigate and solve murder cases.
- The Miami team is led by David Caruso's character.
- The unit tackles demanding murder cases that other laboratories would abandon due to their difficulty.

### Season 5 (24 Episodes)
CSI: Miami Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The show follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department as they use physical evidence to investigate crimes, solve murder cases that other laboratories might find too difficult, and handle the unique challenges faced by the team of criminal investigators in Miami under leadership.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S5)**:
- The series follows Crime Scene Investigators working for the Miami-Dade Police Department.
- The investigators use physical evidence to solve cases.
- The team of criminal investigators in Miami is led by David Caruso.
- The team is capable of solving murder cases that other laboratories would give up on due to their difficulty.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 121
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 13 (11%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 108 (89%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

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

## Key Cast Continuity

- **David Caruso** as *Horatio Caine*
- **Emily Procter** as *Calleigh Duquesne*
- **Adam Rodriguez** as *Eric Delko*
- **Rex Linn** as *Frank Tripp*
- **Jonathan Togo** as *Ryan Wolfe*
- **Eva LaRue** as *Natalia Boa Vista*
- **Khandi Alexander** as *Alexx Woods*
- **Boti Bliss** as *Maxine Valera*
- **Omar Benson Miller** as *Walter Simmons*
- **Sofia Milos** as *Yelina Salas*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the setting of the series?
The series is set in Miami and follows the Miami-Dade Police Department.

### Q: How do the investigators solve crimes?
They use physical evidence and forensic techniques to solve cases.

### Q: What is the primary role of the main characters?
They are Crime Scene Investigators who act as cops first and scientists second.

### Q: Is this related to the original CSI series?
Yes, the series follows the same format and style as the original CSI franchise.

### Q: What kind of crimes are investigated?
The team works to solve grisly murders.

## 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/)
- [CSI: Miami (TV Series 2002-2012) — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1620-csi-miami)
- [CSI - College of Southern Idaho](https://www.csi.edu/)

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