By Paul D. Rosevear

If you're one of millions already hooked on CBS's hit franchise "CSI" " (that is, CSI: "Crime Scene Investigation" and its spin-offs "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York"), you probably spend your entire week in anticipation for the excitement and drama of the next episode. But what if the thrill of crime scene investigation didn't have to be limited to three hours a week? What if you could spend your 9-5 unraveling mysteries like your favorite characters do onscreen?

We did some investigation of our own and found out just what skills and attributes are needed to discover your dream CSI career. Each of your favorite puzzle-busting on-screen CSIs' specialties correspond to an academic discipline. By combining that textbook knowledge - often available via online programs - with hands-on training, you could be on your way to being more than just a fan of Gil Grissom and the gang. you can start being like them.

"Catherine Willows" - The Formula For Success
Ever wonder how you could possibly need to use trajectory formulas from your physics classes in real life? Just watch the character of Catherine Willows in action as a blood spatter analyst.

"A blood stain pattern analyst is someone who determines from what the blood came from," explains Ray Rodriguez, assistant dean of graduate studies at Kaplan University's School of Criminal Justice, which offers online programs in crime scene investigation and forensic psychology. "They need to know the physics of blood flight, and have an extensive knowledge of trigonometry."

Whether spattered on a wall, stained on a shirt, or on the floor, these specialists are able to use their physics knowledge to determine not only where blood came from, but how many blows were struck to the victim, how far away the assailant was, and the height of who was attacked.

"Warrick Brown" - A Sixth Sense
The real-life "Warrick Browns"- those who specialize in audio/visual analysis - are in high demand due to the amazing breadth of technology in which digital media can be captured. Because of all the possible media components that must be examined in an investigation - computers, cell phones, palm pilots, cameras, mp3 players -a background in computer forensics and digital investigation is a must.

"Computer forensics pertains to everything from exploring child pornography allegations, and [online] harassment charges to national security and more," explains Bill Stackpole, computer forensics specialist and assistant professor at Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY). "The premise of digital investigation is based on the idea that digital data can be stored, so you need to have the specialized training to recognize how data can be accidentally changed while investigating, and how to avoid [doing so]. A computer or a camera can be much like a dead body at a crime scene - you need to collect evidence from it in a very specific way."

"Gil Grissom" - Bug Study
The show's main character, "Gil Grissom," specializes in forensic entomology - the study of insects. For this, a strong background in biology is a must, specific forensic entomology Ph.D. programs are available at a handful of schools around the country, advises Rodriguez. "These specialists examine maggot activity on a dead body or collect flies in the area of death, [among other things] and use these insects to determine time of death, place of death, and what substances were in the victim."

"Nick Stokes" and "Greg Sanders" - Molecular Masters
These two CSIs are experts in hair/fiber analysis and chemistry, respectively, but the two disciplines actually have a lot in common. According to Rodriguez, in order to do either you need to have mastery over molecules.

"DNA analysis all comes back to biology and chemistry," he explains. "We use the nuclear material of the cells to conduct tests, which is a highly specific way of acquiring information." Without a strong foundation of how the elements interact - whether inside the body or out - neither investigator would be able to link hair at a crime scene to a suspect, test gun residue, or examine bodily fluids relevant to the case.

Real-Life Forensics: An Exploding Field
Forensics is more than just the subject of popular TV shows - it's a rapidly growing and developing field, with real life evidence of its advancements appearing every day. "In the Chandra Levy case, where a former Washington intern disappeared mysteriously, computer forensics specialists acquired her computer and conducted an investigation where they discovered maps of the places she planned on jogging through," says Stackpole. "Turns out, that information was truly related to her disappearance, because it led police to the exact place of her body. And that was after she'd been gone for over a year."

With the right textbook knowledge and academic background, you could very well find yourself off the couch and at a crime scene next time you hear the words "wound ballistics" or "trajectory analysis." And you'll never ask "How'd they do that?" while watching CSI again.