2010
WISE Score
TMDB
CSI with a Roman accent—expect high-tech forensics, ancient city backdrops, and the kind of crime scenes that might make you skip dinner.
7.5
R.I.S. Roma is a solid, if slightly dated, entry in the forensic procedural genre. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it executes the 'science-as-hero' formula well enough to satisfy fans of the genre who want an international flavor.
Be prepared for a slower burn than modern American procedurals and a fair amount of 2010-era melodrama. It’s not essential viewing, but it’s a decent pick for families with older teens who enjoy a good mystery and don't mind reading subtitles.
This is strictly for the 14+ crowd. It's a gritty crime drama that deals with death and forensic biology. If your teen is already into CSI or Bones, they'll handle it fine, but it’s too heavy for the middle-school set.
It is a crime procedural focused on the darker side of human nature. While the team models professional cooperation and a quest for justice, the subject matter—murder, betrayal, and obsession—is rarely 'wholesome' in a traditional sense.
It follows the CSI-style forensic logic that was popular in the late 2000s. It encourages interest in science and deduction, though it sticks fairly close to established genre tropes without breaking new ground.
Crime scenes frequently feature graphic depictions of death, autopsies, and forensic details. It is not intended for children, and the violence is realistic rather than stylized.
Offers a decent look at forensic science and the investigative process. It highlights teamwork and the application of logic to solve complex problems, even if the TV version of 'science' is highly accelerated.
By the time R.I.S. Roma hit screens in 2010, the world was already deep into the forensic procedural craze. This series, a spin-off of the original R.I.S. Delitti imperfetti, takes the action to Rome and keeps the focus squarely on the Scientific Investigation Department. It’s a show that loves its blue-tinted labs and high-speed montages of chemical reactions.
While the DNA of the show is clearly borrowed from its American cousins, the Roman setting adds a layer of history and atmosphere you don't get in Las Vegas. The crimes often intersect with the unique geography of the city, and the team feels a bit more human and less like 'superhero scientists' than the early CSI characters.
You should know that the show leans into the 'imperfetti' (imperfect) part of its title. The crimes are messy. The showrunners don't shy away from the morgue or the initial discovery of the victim. It’s handled with a level of clinical detachment, but the visual reality is still there. If your kid is squeamish about needles, blood, or the general reality of what happens to a body after death, this isn't the show to start with.
In 2026, the pacing of a 2010 broadcast procedural can feel a little 'clunky' compared to the tight, 8-episode prestige dramas we're used to now. There’s more filler and some of the tech looks hilariously dated. However, for a teen interested in forensic science or the Italian language, these flaws are easily overlooked. It’s a great 'background' show for someone who likes to solve the puzzle along with the characters.
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