Hiring former fugitives to assist the U.S. Marshals with cleaning up the mean streets sounds like a far fetched idea but it works, at least on Breakout Kings. After all who would know better how to outwit the bad guys than former criminals themselves? They don't get off scott free exactly but do receive time off their sentences for aiding in the capture of crooks and as they get one month off their sentence for each criminal they help apprehend it makes sense that they work hard for their eventual release. Most of the "cons" do appreciate the opportunity to reduce their jail time and even get enthused with the prospect of turning over bad guys themselves. Charlie Duchamp (Laz Alonso from Fast & Furious, Avatar) is head of the task force and a previous member of the Criminal Program Analysis Department. A heart ailment kept him tied to his desk job but he still manages to break records getting the criminals reined in. Ray Zancanelli (played by Domenick Lombardozzi from Public Enemies, Miami Vice) lost his Marshals job due to a theft conviction. He works well with the criminal set because he knows the territory so well. Brooke Nevin (Sherman's Way, Infestation) is Julianne Simms, student of law enforcement who has mental issues keeping her from her full potential. This "mixed bag" of law enforcers work well together, keeping criminals in line most of the time.

Tokyo Vice is a TV series based on the memoirs of an American journalist, Jake Adelstein, who worked as a crime reporter for a Japanese newspaper. The series explores Adelstein's experiences in Tokyo's criminal underworld and his pursuit of a notorious Japanese crime boss.

"Forensic Files" is an American documentary television series that originally aired from 1996 to 2011. The show features real-life forensic investigations, including murder cases, accidents, and other crimes. The series uses interviews with experts, re-enactments, and actual crime scene footage to provide a detailed look into the investigation process.

Powerful cast makes Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior a huge hit on CBS As far as spin offs from television series go this one is a winner! The original Criminal Minds (debuted in 2005) has been so well written it was bound to spawn a sequel and Suspect Behavior is bound to excel. This is all about the FBI and profiling but goes way beyond the previous "Profilers" program and includes study of human behavior and why some of us do bad things. Situated in Quantico, Virginia, the teams of the FBI's BAU or Behavioral Analysis Unit solve cases by "getting inside" the minds of dangerous criminals who have no respect for the lives of others. Forest Whitaker stars as Sam Cooper, a Special Agent with the FBI who bravely attacks his job each day, intent on getting the criminal element off the streets. His specially selected team include a skilled marksman, a former convict, and slick cunning agents who must be smarter than their targets in order to out wit them. Their missions involve capturing the most dangerous of the criminal element and bring them to justice. Also starring Matt Ryan, Michael Kelly, and Beau Garrett.

The new hit series Prime Suspect is a reboot of a crime drama already familiar to British television viewers. The strong female role is now played by Maria Bello in the U.S. version whereas Helen Mirren capably handled the rough and tumble female cop role in the original British version. We find out in the first few minutes exactly how not to approach Detective Timoney as she is simply not in the mood for small talk or flirting. Jane Timoney is a dedicated member of the NYPD and has plenty of "attitude". As with other female cop roles like Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order SVU), Mary Shannon of In Plain Sight, Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda Johnson from The Closer, and the original Police Woman herself, Angie Dickinson's Pepper Anderson the most difficult part of being a good looking female cop may be convincing others the can handle the job. So attitude goes a long way. Starring Maria Bello (ER, World Trade Center) who handle such cases as a raped and murdered woman after it happened in front of her small children. The case goes to her but is taken away by another detective who dies on the job, prompting her to demand it be returned to her. Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, Nine Lives) is Lieutenant Kevin Sweeney who is often helpful to Jane.

Lethal Weapon is a TV series based on the popular movie franchise of the same name. It follows two detectives, Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs, who are partnered together to fight crime in Los Angeles. Murtaugh is a seasoned detective who is just a few years from retirement, while Riggs is a former Navy SEAL with a troubled past. Despite their differences, the two work together to solve crimes and develop a close bond.