10 CSI FUN FACTS

Due to my extensive knowledge of Crime Scene Investigation I have decided to write a blog post on my favourite 10 CSI fun facts:

1. Holly Gribbs. In the plot, the new addition to the team, Holly Gribbs goes on her first crime scene investigation. However, after returning to the scene to collect more evidence and being left alone by Warrick Brown she gets shot and dies. The writers chose to do this, as when the pilot was viewed by a test audience they said that Gribbs was an awkward character. They also stated that she was not relatable causing actress Chandra West to be fired after the second episode. The character that filled the gap left by Gribbs was none other than my fav Sara Sidle. Sidle was written in as a love interest for Gil Grissom however, they did not enter into a relationship to audience knowledge until Season 7. 
2. Too complicated. The series was originally pitched to the network, ABC. However, ABC refused to air the drama due to the fact that they stated that the series was too complicated for the American audience to understand. CBS then picked up the series and since then it is one of the longest running drama series and has become a pop culture icon. 
3. Why Las Vegas? Las Vegas was chosen as the setting for the original CSI due to the fact that the Vegas crime lab is the second most active crime lab in the USA other than the FBI's. 
4. The machines. The machines in the labs are all real and do indeed work. 
5. Facts. All the scientific facts listed on CSI are true. The series has researchers and fact checkers to make sure that everything scientific that appears on the show is authentic. 
6. The CSI effect. The show created the term, "The CSI effect" which has multiple definitions. The first is "a boarder knowledge of crime forensics by the general public". The series has caused jurors to demand more forensic evidence in trials. The second use of the term is the wave of crime series that were inspired by CSI since its premiere in 2000 such as Without A Trace, NCIS, Bones and Criminal Minds. At the time when CSI premiered no other crime/ mystery series had aired that strictly focused on the science side of crimes through forensic evidence. 
7. Helped solve crimes. After the series premiered in 2000 that year 46.9% of all rapes were solved in the USA a significant jump from the year before. 
8. Catherine Willows. When Marg Helgenberger was cast in the series she went and witnessed a real autopsy. The character of Catherine Willows was actually inspired by a real forensic investigator in Vegas. 
9. Different Name. In real life CSIs are called CSAs and do not perform all the activities the characters do in the show including interviewing, working in the lab, do not make arrests or obtain search warrants. 
10. Sara Sidle. Due to a contract dispute with CBS and actress Jorja Fox the character of Sara Sidle was going to be killed off in season 8. However, the writers decided not to kill off Sidle for the possibility of her character returning. It was a good decision as Sidle was a guest character in Season 8 and 9 (although billed as a main character in season 8) and a recurring character in season 9. Sidle then was instated as a main character in season 11 and is still apart of the main cast to date. 

Special thanks to IMDB for the information :-)