CSI shines a spotlight on the work of a team of crime scene investigators, placing a strong emphasis on the science used to solve crimes. Phrases like "petecchial haemorrhaging" and "perimortem bruising" are common on the show, giving viewers the uncommon opportunity to see a dramatization of what goes on behind the scenes in crime labs around the world every day. And there's never been a shortage of courtroom dramas.

On this television show, the Las Vegas CSI team is led by Gil Grissom (actor William Peterson), a work-obsessed biologist who cares for his team as though they were his own children. But saying he cares that much implies developed interpersonal skills, and having relationships with living humans is not a particular strong suit for Grissom. His office shelves are lined with preserved body parts.

Other crime scene investigation team members include Catherine Willows, a single mother and former exotic dancer who's also the second-most senior investigator; Warrick Brown, an audio-visual specialist with a weakness for gambling; Nick Stokes, who works best with hair and fibres and once was a suspect in the murder of a prostitute; and Sara Sidle, a Harvard graduate who is the most emotional member of the team.

With a successful spin-off already in place (CSI: Miami), a CSI PC game, continued ratings strength, and a bottomless pit of storyline possibilities, fans of the television drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation don't have to worry about loosing their favorite show anytime soon.