TV Crime Drama - Conventions & Sub Genres

TV Crime Drama

Enigma code - mystery such as murder (who dunnit) 

Red  herrings - false information (false lead, for example you are made to believe the killer is one person but it is actually someone else.

Inexperienced sidekick - For example a new police officer or someone who does not have much experience

Cliffhanger - High tension at the end of an episode which leaves people on edge or uneasy. For example a main character could be shot and you do not find out what happens until next episode

A chase - For example the police is chasing the criminal who is getting away

Teamwork - Working together to solve crime and the audience feel satisfied when the team succeeds

Personality defect - If the protagonist has a personality defect such as an alcoholic, the audience feel sympathy and it makes it more entertaining, also the writers can play around with the fact that there is a blockage or history there and use it to their advantage

Sub genre: Within the overall genre of television crime drama there will be groups of shows that share similar conventions, for example a detective-led drama is a sub genre.

Gangster - A TV crime drama that focuses on the lives and crimes of gangs (example = The Wire, The Sopranos)

Police soap series - A TV crime drama which goes on and on and the crime does not stop (example = The Bill)

Cold case - A TV crime drama where old cases which were closed due to lack of leads are re-opened (example = Waking the dead)

Court room - A TV crime drama which is mainly based on the lawyers and in court a lot (example = Judge John Deed)

Detective dramas - Detectives engaged in investigating a big crime (example = Broadchurch, Criminal minds) 

Serial killers - A TV crime drama which is based on the serial killers and their lives (example = Dexter, Bates motel)

Prison - A TV crime drama which is mainly set in a prison (example = Prison break, Orange is the new black)

Investigative detective and sidekick - Where the TV series focuses on the eccentric police officer and a boring sidekick (example = Midsomer murders)

Criminal - Focuses on a group of criminals (example = Hustle)

Cuffs

In 'Cuffs', the teamwork is all of the police officers and the chase is when the said team chase the criminals. The inexperienced sidekick is PC Jake, the new one. There is a red herring when the audience believe that the criminals are about to be caught but there is miscommunication and they get away.