Ep 17. Felonius Monk

In CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's season 2 episode 17 named "Felonius Monk," the story revolves around a murder that takes place in the middle of a Tibetan monk's ceremony. The CSI team is called to investigate a crime scene where the dead body, belonging to a young girl, is found.

As the team evaluates the scene, they notice an intricate Tibetan symbol written in blood. The symbol is associated with the Karmapa, one of the three highest lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. This leads them to suspect that the murder is linked with the temple or the monks performing the ceremony.

To investigate further, the team turns to a former monk who left the temple years ago. He provides them with a list of all the individuals who had access to the symbol and could potentially be involved in the murder. As the team interviews those on the list, the clues start to point towards a motive for the crime.

Simultaneously, another potential suspect arises as the victim's father, who recently lost his job as a security guard, had access to the temple. The evidence against him is circumstantial, however.

As the team continues to investigate, they discover a connection between the murder victim and the now-deceased father of the temple's head monk. This leads them to believe that the motive for the crime is rooted in the long-standing feud between the victim's family and the temple.

Meanwhile, Catherine (one of the CSI team members) is dealing with personal issues concerning her father's parole. Her father was sent to prison for murdering her mother, and now he's set to be released. This plotline adds a personal element to the episode, providing a glimpse into the struggles that the CSI team members face in their personal lives.

As the team pieces together the evidence, they realize that the case may not be as straightforward as they initially anticipated. The clues lead them to a suspect whose involvement in the murder is unexpected and shocks the team.

In typical CSI fashion, the team uses innovative forensic techniques to piece together the crime and its perpetrator. With a combination of traditional crime-solving methods and the use of cutting-edge technology, they are able to solve the case.

Overall, "Felonius Monk" is a gripping episode that provides insight into the vibrant traditions and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism while also showcasing a complex murder investigation. With its intricate plotline and memorable characters, it's no wonder that CSI: Crime Scene Investigation remains a fan favorite decades after its initial airing.