CSI: NY is an indirect spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and a direct spin-off of CSI: Miami, with several CSI: NY characters first appearing during a CSI: Miami episode before getting their own show.

Originally in 2004 the series was produced in partnership with the Canadian company Alliance Atlantis, which dissolved after season three in 2007, after which production continued under CBS Paramount Television.

Despite being set in New York City, the series was actually filmed at CBS Studio Center with most outdoor scenes shot in and around Los Angeles, only occasionally filming on location in New York City.

Gary Sinise, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper and Eddie Cahill are the only four actors who appeared in all 197 episodes of the series.

The show's theme song was taken from the first verse of The Who's song 'Baba O'Riley.' Starting with season four, the theme was revamped to be purely instrumental, removing the lyrics 'I don't need to fight to prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven.'

Score composer Bill Brown won a BMI Award for his work on the show's first season.

Like the other shows in the CSI franchise, CSI: NY spawned its own comic book, novels, and video game.