Co-creator Don McGill revealed that the quirky forensic specialist Abby Sciuto on NCIS drew direct inspiration from Greg Sanders on CSI. The character was designed to add humor while expanding on the lab technician archetype.
Don McGill explained that series creator Don Bellisario sought humor in the show. He drew from the Greg Sanders character played by Eric Szmanda and amplified the quirky elements to meet that goal. Both Abby and Greg stand out as forensic experts with alternative lifestyles, though their personalities and backstories differ in key ways.