Thu, Jan 31, 2002
Wealthy Roy Logan acts suspiciously when withdrawing $1,000,000 cash and his blood on his hands, but must be released for lack of a crime. When Catherine rushes after him with his spectacles, she gets a phone-call and is shown a severed finger proving Logan's adulterous lover Amanda Freeman was kidnapped. Logan ignores her advice, almost greedily handing over the ransom without proof of life, and Amanda is found where indicated- murdered days before.
Thu, Feb 7, 2002
A body is found in the body farm. He died from what looks like a bullet wound, yet Dr. Robbins and Grissom can't find any bullet fragments. Instead, they found bits of ground beef inside the wound track. The team links this death to an arson case. The investigation takes a turn when the 12-year-old daughter of the deceased's fiancée has been a victim of sexual assault for some time. Back at the lab, Sara asks for a 6-month leave, citing that she doesn't feel at ease at work with her co-workers, especially with her boss, Grissom.
Thu, Mar 7, 2002
Grissom studies Ananda's Vegas Buddhist monastery where four Thai monks were fatally shot in the forehead. Forensics also show the presence of hostile restaurant owner Peter Hutchins Sr. and his son, Pete Jr. Eventually, possible theft is considered. Catherine's mentor Jimmy Tadero falsifies evidence concerning the case of violent repeat-offender Dwight Kelso, who maintains his innocence on his deathbed.
Thu, May 2, 2002
Grissom and Sidle investigate the death of someone who was buried in a shallow grave in a park and covered in lye. The autopsy reveals that the victim was struck by a car in the last 72 hours and bled to death. There was no blood at the grave site, however. The accident is traced to a young lawyer who has just started as an associate with a major law firm. Stokes looks into the death of Stacy Warner who is found in the middle of the desert but is determined to have drowned. She was a an extreme sports enthusiast out on a challenging trek but she seemed ill-prepared for the route she took.
Thu, May 9, 2002
Las Vegas's retired police commissioner Duke Rittle was tortured to death after an 'exclusive' party. The ex-con who drove him is found murdered in the car's trunk, but not the last on Grissom's trail. Rittle's young daughter Sasha is missing and the suspect, a socialite chameleon, is seen on a private flight to Miami. Grissom sends Catherine there. Luckily Lieutenant Horatio Caine of the Miami CSI team takes brilliant charge, realizing it's the MO of a Florida serial killer of socialite couples, who spared the girl but eliminated all other witnesses and clearly isn't done yet, even sets a trap for the police.
Thu, Oct 3, 2002
Hollywood sex symbol Tom Haviland admits having had sex with a girl who is found in the same casino hotel, throat fatally pierced with a corkscrew. As he failed to clean up, the team quickly gathers enough evidence for a murder charge. His top lawyer chooses to demand a near-instant trial, leaving CSI almost no time to work out the part of Tom's buddy and a second victim, actually the first murder. Meanwhile Grissom's mentor and predecessor, Dr. Phillip Gerard, uses all his forensic expertise to question every move they make and discredit team members.
Thu, Nov 7, 2002
On the day of convicted serial killer-rapist John Mathers's execution, a new case following his MO causes a stay after countering the already administered lethal injection and urgent forensic (re-)examination. It was Catherine's first case leading to death row. The most modern techniques, even requiring federal equipment not available to Greg, show another killer was at work and probably one was a copy-cat, but the question remains in which order, as that may or not discharge Mathers.
Thu, Nov 14, 2002
Boxer LaRoi Steele didn't survive his third fight against Javier Molina, whom he defeated in both earlier encounters. Grissom works out what happened exactly and why after learning how that Vegas show discipline really works. Nick wanted a solo case but isn't tickled-pink with a jewelry theft, yet does it well enough to counter abuse from ingrate victims. A gang fight involving an arrogant 'modern' gangster turns out to tie in as well.