Characters: Usually male characters are used as the protagonist or even a mainly male cast. This is to do with stereotypes. Males are usually portrayed because society stereotypes the job of a police officer or detective as male. Examples of a mainly Male cast are Hot Fuzz and Reservoir Dogs.

A typical character is the male detective protagonist:

• Usually divorced
• Seen as tough and independent
• Has underworld connections
• often bends or breaks law to get job done
• Social pragmatism of the modern police investigator. 

Plot: Often follows a 'who did it' plot where we chase after a killer of a crime. Usually the victim is known and portrayed as innocent. Red herrings and plot twist are commonly used to keep the show entertaining as we unravel the plot. The audience will be involved as they use the clues to help solve the crime or by routing for a side/character.

Sub-genres: A crime series or film will usually have two types of sub genre. either taking a violent and action route, or a detective and mystery genre.

Setting:

• Urban inner city
• Police offices
• Open streets
• Warehouses

Crime film is a genre that revolves around the action of a criminal mastermind. A Crime film will often revolve around the criminal himself, chronicling his rise and fall. Some Crime films will have a storyline that follows the criminal's victim, yet others follow the person in pursuit of the criminal. This genre tends to be fast paced with an air of mystery – this mystery can come from the plot or from the characters themselves.

Examples of crime films are:

Batman: When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, the caped crusader must come to terms with one of the greatest psychological tests of his ability to fight injustice.

Reservoir Dogs: After a simple jewellery heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.

Snatch: Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewellers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.

Legend: The film tells the story of the identical twin gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray, two of the most notorious criminals in British history, and their organised crime empire in the East End of London during the 1960s.