
Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs leads a group of colorful personalities in investigating crimes -- ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism -- that have evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The team includes MIT graduate Timothy McGee, Ellie Bishop, who specializes in international threat assessment, charismatic and unpredictable Nick Torres, and forensic psychologist Jack Sloane. Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard brings his vast experience in forensics into play to help solve cases.

Gibbs and the team realize that a cadaver mistakenly tagged as a John Doe is actually that of a career felon with ties to a criminal mastermind.

The team is called to the scene of the murder of a petty officer who was part of an undercover arms operation.

Gibbs and Ducky see an antique war stick on television, and it could be the missing murder weapon to a 16-year-old cold case.

The NCIS headquarters are evacuated after the team discovers bomb materials on the roof of the squad room; the team reads the first draft of Ducky's book.