CSI (franchise)

CSI: Miami and CSI: Cyber spun off from CSI, and CSI: NY spun off from CSI: Miami, all via backdoor pilot episodes.

Methods
The Las Vegas team are scientists foremost, and follow the evidence.

Crimes
The crimes the Las Vegas CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include casino robberies, bodies buried in the Nevada desert, and murders during different conventions at casinos.

Crime lab
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Crime Lab is a modern crime lab and shares a lot (but not a building) with the Las Vegas Police Department. It reports to the sheriff's office. In early episodes of season one the lab is frequently referred to as the number two crime lab in the United States, solving cases believed unsolvable. The lab consists of specialist laboratories, a larger office (used by the Supervisor in seasons 1-9, and subsequently as a bullpen in seasons 9-11 and the Director’s office from season 12 onwards), a smaller office used by Catherine Willows between seasons 5 and 12, a locker room, an AV room, a break-room, and stairs leading to a second floor, housing the office of the Director and Assistant Director (until D.B. Russell’s appointment in which the Night Shift Supervisor’s Office is used as the Director’s office also). It is also believed to house the offices of the Day-shift and Swing-shift supervisors.

• Laboratory Directors: D.B. Russell (12.01–16.02), Sara Sidle (16.02)
• Night Shift Supervisors: Jim Brass (1.01), Gil Grissom (1.02–9.10), Catherine Willows (9.11–11.22), D.B. Russell (12.01–16.02)
• Night Shift Assistant Supervisors: Gil Grissom (1.01), Catherine Willows (1.02–5.08, 6.01–9.10, 12.01–12.12), Sofia Curtis (5.09–5.25), Nick Stokes (10.01–11.22), Julie Finlay (12.14–15.18)
• Day Shift Supervisors: Sofia Curtis (Acting) (5.07–5.08),
• Swing Shift Supervisors: Catherine Willows (5.09–5.25)

Methods
The Miami team are detectives foremost, and mainly use theories to solve crimes.

Crimes
The crimes the Miami CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include drug running, murdered refugees from Cuba, bodies found washed up on the beach and dumped in the Everglades, and crimes involving the rich and famous who have secrets to hide in their mansions and beachfront properties.

Crime lab
The Miami CSIs were firstly, in the backdoor pilot, stationed out of a broom closet next to the MDPD's bull pen. They were given their own building prior to the start of the first season. Originally dark and technical, this building housed Horatio's office, Megan's office, specialist labs, and a locker room. During the fourth season a government grant meant that slanted glass walls, multiple modern labs, an interrogation room, and a new locker room were all constructed. Horatio's office is not seen following the lab's reconstruction—although a state-of-the-art ballistics suite was added, acting as Calleigh's office. The lab has reinforced windows and shutters to protect against hurricanes and tsunamis.

• Laboratory Director & Day Shift Supervisor: Horatio Caine (Backdoor pilot–10.19)
• Assistant Day Shift Supervisors: Megan Donner (1.01–1.10), Calleigh Duquesne (1.11–10.19)

Methods
The New York team are equally scientists and detectives, and frequently use criminal profiling (as well as evidence and theories) to solve cases.

Crimes
The crimes the New York CSI team face (other than the standard murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, and rapes) include organised crime activity involving the Italian Mafia, street-gang violence, and ethnic, cultural, and ability differences.

Crime lab
During the first season, the NYPD CSI lab is in an old underground building with rustic brick walls. The lab houses Mac's office, a locker room, the autopsy suite, and specialist forensic laboratories. As of the second season the lab is on the 35th floor of a high-rise building in Manhattan. Equipped with glass walls and state-of-the-art equipment, this lab consists of the Supervisor’s office (belonging to Mac, and - for a short time - Jo), specialist laboratories, an observation walkway, a break-room and kitchen, a locker room, and an office belonging to the Assistant Supervisor (first Stella, then Jo), containing an additional hot-desk used by Hawkes, Danny, Lindsay, and Aiden. Part of this second lab is blown up in the season three finale, "Snow Day", but is restored by the beginning of season four.

• Laboratory Director & Day Shift Supervisor: Mac Taylor (Backdoor pilot–9.17)
• Assistant Day Shift Supervisors: Stella Bonasera (Backdoor pilot–6.23), Jo Danville (7.01–9.17)

Methods
The Cyber team focuses on the technical aspect of crimes, with NextGen forensics providing it with a real-world crime scene investigative counterpart.

Crimes
The FBI Cyber Crime Division investigates cyber-based terrorism, internet-related murders, espionage, computer intrusions, major cyber-fraud, cyber-theft, hacking, sex offenses, blackmail, and any other crime deemed to be cyber-related within the FBI's jurisdiction.

Divisions
— Cyber Crime Division
The FBI Cyber Crime Division operates out of Washington, D.C. and is housed in the Cyber Threat Operations Center. The CTOC consists of Ryan's office, Russell's office, a communications bull pen housing the desks of Krumitz, Nelson, and Ramirez, a cyber lab, a glass walkway, and a 'tear-down room'. Due to their nomadic nature the team are often seen interviewing suspects at various FBI field offices and police departments.

• FBI Directors: FBI Director Marcus Silver, FBI Assistant Deputy Director Simon Sifter (1.01–1.13), FBI Deputy Director Colin Vickner (1.01–2.04), FBI Deputy Director Avery Ryan (2.06–2.18)
• Special Agent in Charge: Avery Ryan (Backdoor pilot–2.05)

— Next Generation Cyber Forensics Division
The Next Generation Cyber Forensics Division is a lab-based facility within the Cyber Crime Division used for the processing of evidence in cyber-related cases.

• Laboratory Director: D.B. Russell (2.01–2.18)

There have been a number of comic books based on all three series published by IDW Publishing. Writers include Jeff Mariotte and Max Allan Collins.

The CSI franchise has spawned 11 computer games published by Ubisoft across the three shows.

Gameloft has also published a series of mobile games based on the CSI series including CSI: The Mobile Game (Vegas) and CSI: Miami.

In addition, several board games and puzzles based on all three series have seen release, all published by Canadian game manufacturer Specialty Board Games, Inc. In 2011, the CSI Board Game was released by another Canadian company, GDC–GameDevCo Ltd. It is the first game to include all three CSI shows.[20]

A pinball game machine called CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was released in 2008.[21]

Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry opened an exhibit in CSI's honor on May 25, 2007 called: "CSI: The Experience".[22] In October 2011 it was at Discovery Times Square in New York City.[23] There is also a game on the website where you are trained in forensic biology, weapons and tool mark analyses, toxicology and the autopsy.

Various novelizations have appeared based on the series. Authors include Max Allan Collins (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Donn Cortez (CSI: Miami), Stuart M. Kaminsky (CSI: NY), and Keith R.A. DeCandido (CSI: NY).

Titan Magazines published 11 issues of CSI Magazine starting in November 2007. They contained a mixture of features and interviews looking into the world of the three CSIs and the people who help create it.[24] They were available in the UK and US.[25]

A range of toys have been developed. These include:

• "CSI: Forensics Lab"
• "CSI: DNA Laboratory"
• "CSI: Forensic Facial"

However, they have been the source of some controversy. The Parents Television Council, who have complained about CSI in general, in 2004 released a statement specifically aimed at the toys.[26] The PTC e-mailed letters to their supporters, telling them the content of the games were entirely inappropriate for children to be exposed to "because the CSI franchise often displays graphic images, including close-ups of corpses with gunshot wounds and other bloody injuries." The letter went on to say "The PTC doesn't think the recreation of blood, guts and gore should be under a child's Christmas tree this year," PTC concluded. "This so-called 'toy' is a blatant attempt to market CSI and its adult-oriented content directly to children."

In urging members to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, PTC said CBS parent company Viacom needed to hear from parents who are concerned about the "graphic scenes of blood, violence, and sex" in their product. They also asked their supporters to contact Target and Toys "R" Us.