CSI: Prop Sculpture

Episode: “Snuff”

Writers and researchers for top-rated CBS crime drama CSI: first contacted me and sought my input for plot ideas about six months prior to the series premier in 2000. Since then, I have developed many friendships related to the show and have continued a long-term consultant relationship. The writers bestowed on me a great honor when forensic artist character, Teri Miller, played by actress Pamela Gidley, was roughly based on me. Her character was originally developed as a “love interest” for Grissom (played by William Petersen) but alas, things just didn’t work out for them and they both moved on. The episode “Snuff” marked my first visit to the California set so that both my artwork and my hands could appear on camera. “Snuff” was co-written by Ann Donahue and Bob Harris and directed by Kenneth Fink. Certain scenes for this episode were shot at the old Ambassador Hotel, site of the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968.

My role in this episode included several things. I consulted with writers about how to accurately incorporate forensic facial reconstruction into the plot, I created the step-by-step sculpted props, and I acted as an assistant to the actors on the set. The first step was to do storyboard type drawings of the various stages for the facial reconstruction props.  This would allow the writers and directors to plan the action prior to filming.  Time is money and careful advance planning is critical.  These sketches let them know what I would be bringing so they could plan how they wanted to use these props.  I also made notations of related figures/photos and information in my textbook Forensic Art and Illustration.  They could then look those up in their copy as the script was being written.

Storyboard sketches for the CSI: episode “Snuff”

While still in Texas, I created three primary stages for the facial reconstruction. Sculpting in real time would be far too time-consuming during filming, so all of this advance preparation was necessary. As part of the plot, anthropologist/artist “Teri Miller” determined that the skeletal victim had Downs Syndrome, so the reconstruction had to reflect that.

My time on the set in Los Angeles was fun and rewarding. One of my favorite things was interacting with young actor Blair Williamson who played my “victim” in the flashback life sequences. Blair was so enthusiastic and really enjoyed seeing the sculpture I had made to resemble him.

​​​​​​Dr. Gary Telgenhoff is the Forensic Pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner at the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He’s also a consultant for the show and happened to be on the set when we were filming.  When “Dr. T” and CSI: creator Anthony Zuiker get together, there’s no telling what might happen…lots of fun.  His T-shirt says “Coroner – Stop by for a Cold One.”  I understand well the gallows humor that is sometimes needed to deal with the reality of this work.

Here are actors William Petersen as "Dr. Gil Grissom" and Pamela Gidley as "Teri Miller".  There’s a lot of “hurry up and wait” in television production. I feel like my time spent testifying in court has given me some good preparation for that. Sometimes on the set, I just sat around in the background and waited until the director yelled my name for assistance.

At one point, Billy Petersen remarked to me, “Hey, you don’t seem to be bothered at all by the craziness and pressure on the set. Some of the other advisors have problems with it.” We then had a good chat about real autopsies, testifying against real rapists and murderers and trying to help real crime victims. I explained that stress for me was struggling to do a fast and accurate composite sketch when a child had been abducted and the news crews were outside my door waiting…the potential for life or death.  He totally got it and understood why I was unfazed, even a bit amused by the “Hollywood” variety of stress.  I have gained a genuine respect for the pressure-filled schedules and demanding work that is necessary during the creation of television shows.  I am awed by the amazing skill and craft of the actors and all of the various individuals involved in production of a show like CSI:.  I am proud to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.

There was time for a few fun photographs to be taken.  Here I am in the morgue area of the set which sadly looks pretty familiar.

I couldn't resist plopping down in Grissom's office!

Here I'm examining some of the creepy prop stuff in Grissom's office.

This shows part of the sequence of the facial reconstruction as it appeared in the episode "Snuff", with my hands at top doing the sculpting. All in all, I felt that the filming went well on this episode and the facial reconstruction sequence appeared quite realistic.  In the capable hands of the director, it was beautifully filmed and assembled. Later, I was pleased when I watched a DVD of the episode that included commentary by Director Kenneth Fink and he described how proud he was of the facial reconstruction scene in particular.  That made me happy…