CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Test

The CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Test is inspired by psychometric methodology and based on research into the characters of the film. The test provides feedback such as the following:

Sara Sidle

Sara Sidle is an idealistic, emotionally intense forensic scientist whose brilliance is matched by a long-shadowing history of childhood abuse and trauma. She is the wounded crusader, a perfectionist who throws herself into her work because injustice feels deeply personal. She is fiercely intelligent and driven by intellectual curiosity, especially in cases involving violence against the vulnerable. Her controlled exterior hides profound insecurity and a tendency to withdraw when in pain. In conflict, she is reactive and blunt, often challenging authority when she feels the system fails a victim. She craves safe, lasting connections but struggles to let people in, fearing the cost of caring.

Nick Stokes

Nick Stokes is an empathetic, all-American forensic scientist whose heart is as central to his work as his investigative skill. He is the loyal guardian of the team, a steady and emotionally open investigator who believes in the inherent value of people, sometimes to his own detriment. His Texan upbringing and natural warmth make him grounded and accessible, contrasting sharply with the more detached members of the lab. Despite being one of the most well-adjusted investigators, he repeatedly faces harrowing personal trauma. He channels his pain into compassion for victims, consistently choosing to remain kind and resilient even after suffering profound professional and personal setbacks.

Jim Brass

Jim Brass is a world-weary but fiercely principled homicide detective who serves as the bridge between the lab and the streets. He is the hardened guardian of the team, known for his blunt sarcasm, intimidating presence, and a deep-seated moral code that often clashes with cold bureaucracy. While he projects a tough exterior, his personal life is marked by profound heartbreak, including the tragic descent of his daughter into crime. He is driven by a sense of duty and a protective instinct toward his colleagues. Though he hides his vulnerability behind gallows humor, he remains a steady, reliable anchor for those he leads.

Greg Sanders

Greg Sanders is a playful, imaginative forensic scientist who evolves from an eccentric lab rat into a capable, mature field investigator. He is defined by his high-energy curiosity, a penchant for loud music, and a quirky sense of humor that initially sets him apart from his more stoic colleagues. While he thrives on intellectual challenges and creative problem-solving, his journey is marked by a transition from the safety of the lab to the harsh realities of crime scenes. Beneath his goofy exterior lies a deep commitment to his team and a growing sense of professional responsibility, proving that he can balance his offbeat charm with genuine courage.

Catherine Willows

Catherine Willows is a tough, emotionally astute investigator and single mother who rose from a working-class, stigmatized past to become a respected forensic leader. Archetypally, she is the survivor-mentor who fights for legitimacy in male-dominated environments while protecting others and wrestling with her own vulnerabilities. She is pragmatic, street-smart, and highly intuitive, balancing scientific rigor with an ability to read victims and suspects in a city built on vice. Her background as a casino owner’s daughter gives her an insider’s understanding of Las Vegas, which she uses in cases even as it creates ethical conflicts. She projects competence but carries deep-seated pride and protective instincts.

Warrick Brown

Warrick Brown is a charismatic, driven CSI whose brilliance is shadowed by a gambling addiction and a tragic end. Archetypally, he is the gifted striver with a fatal flaw: someone who climbed out of a difficult background but never fully escaped his demons. He is technically skilled in audio and visual analysis, cool under pressure, and deeply embedded in the Las Vegas nightlife. A product of the city’s underclass, he possesses a strong sense of responsibility toward mentees. His gambling addiction repeatedly threatens his career and friendships, yet he remains acutely aware of his struggle. He is motivated by pride, loyalty, and redemption.

Gil Grissom

Gil Grissom is a cerebral, eccentric scientist-detective who leads with logic and curiosity rather than emotion. As a forensic entomologist and night-shift supervisor, he serves as the team’s rational anchor, often prioritizing objective evidence over social niceties. He is intensely focused, unflappable in the face of gore, and fascinated by the patterns others miss. Beneath his stoic, analytical exterior lies a man shaped by early, unanswerable losses, driving his obsession with solving the unsolvable. While he may appear detached or socially awkward, he is deeply loyal to his colleagues. He ultimately embodies the tension between a life defined by systems and the messy, unpredictable nature of human connection.