This is a series that started in 1999 and has been popular for the past 12 years.
Mariko Sakaki (Yasuko Sawaguchi) is a forensics expert working for SRI (Scientific Research Institute) section of Kyoto City Police Department. Her motto is "Science don't lie" and works to solve the case using latest scientific method and technology. She has a PhD from Toa University and was trained at FBI's forensics devision. She's brilliant at work, but is a relative slacker at almost everything else in her life. She works with her team to solve difficult cases (Usually involving murder) that occurs within the Kyoto city limits.
While the premise of the show sound's like the Japanese version of CSI, in actuality, the start date of this series precedes that of Hollywood's version. Since the series have been running for a long time, there are many supporting casts that came and went, each adding their unique talent to the story. Current regulars are comprised of:
1. Detective Kaoru Domon (Tsuyoshi Naito) is Mariko's counter part in the detective division. He usually works with Mariko to solve the cases, and also plays the heavy when brute force is needed.
2. Kazumasa Hino (Akira Saito) is the eldest member of Mariko's SRI team. His specialty was script profiling. He was promoted to the director's position in an episode that aired in 2011, and left the team.
3. Kenji Inui (Masayuki Izumi) is expert at voice, and photographic analysis. His expertise include analysis using computers.
4. Yasuno Yoshizaki (Erika Okuda) is a very capable woman that came to Kyoto SRI as an exchange researcher from a civilian lab. She found her niche at Kyoto SRI and transfered permanently as its member.
The true charm of this series is in the extraordinary talent of Yasuko Sawaguchi. She never misses a beat in any situation and holds the scene together. She fits the role as the cool and intelligent forensics science expert perfectly.
This series appears periodically in Japanese broadcasting networks around the world with subtitles. Highly recommended if your local station is showing the rerun of this series.
