Murder Prevention Unit

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 16+

Violent, thought-provoking British crime drama.

BBC America Drama 2006
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this London-set crime drama includes graphic scenes of murder (for example, a woman is beaten and strangled by a man) and allusions to sex acts, though nudity is rare. Strong language includes cursing as well as frank discussion of violent sexual assaults (some of which involve minors), and there's plenty of plot-driven suspense in each investigation. The series raises intriguing questions about whether the need for public safety outweighs citizens' privacy rights. It's definitely not for kids, but adults and mature teens may enjoy the show's unique approach to fighting crime.

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What's the Story?

Based on a real-life homicide unit within London's Metropolitan Police, the crime drama MURDER PREVENTION UNIT centers on a team of officers whose task is to predict where, when, and how violent crimes will occur -- and to step in at the crucial moment and prevent them. Using psychological profiling, forward-thinking detective work, and plenty of instinct, the six-member unit, which is led by formidable DCI Patrick Goddard (Conor Mullen), hones in on likely offenders and conducts a thorough \"pre-murder investigation.\" They track the suspects' movements, identify the intended target, create a probable crime scenario, and lie in wait for events to play out. When they do, the team moves in to apprehend the suspect and put together enough evidence to support the case in court. But the challenges of following clues that lead to uncertain crimes are daunting, so the officers, including DC Maurice Gibney (Michael Smiley) and DC Mark Rosen (Tom Brooke), sometimes resort to unethical tactics to locate missing pieces to their puzzles.

Is It Any Good?

This fast-paced, suspense-filled drama is entertaining enough, but viewers will probably be more intrigued by the possible implications of this new type of law enforcement. Every move the officers make spurs questions about the right to privacy vs. citizens' security, and viewers are left pondering questions like these: When police are allowed to break their own rules, are we safer for it? Who polices the police? How strongly must evidence point toward an intended crime for courts to hand down a guilty verdict?

Murder Prevention Unit definitely isn't for kids, but if your teens can handle the show's graphic violence and strong language, watching the series with them is sure to prompt some interesting discussions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the legal and ethical challenges of law enforcement. What kinds of evidence must police officers compile against a criminal? How subjective is the American court system? How does it compare to the British system? Is it possible to be truly impartial as a juror or a judge? Why is crucial evidence sometimes omitted from a trial? How would our justice system be affected if police were allowed to bend the rules to build a case against a suspect? What would be the negative result of such a change? Could it be a good thing? How could the system be abused? How does this show compare to American crime dramas?

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