History Main / ConsultingAConvictedKiller

* In ''{{CSI}}'' Langston seeks the help of his nemesis, serial killer Nate Haskell, to catch the "Dr. Jekyll Killer". [[spoiler: He isn't really that helpful and mostly just messes them around. His actual plan was to goad a guard into [[ShockCollar shocking him]] as to fall and break his own glasses... and using the broken arms from said glasses to stab Langston through the bars of his holding cell.]]
* Happened twice on ''CriminalMinds'', once when MadBomber Adrian Bale was called upon to help stop a copycat bomber and again when a serial hostage taker was asked to help stop a group of copycats. [[spoiler: In the first case, Bale was unable to resist the opportunity to try and trick the team into blowing up a potential victim. Gideon caught on to this and stopped it. In the second, [[ExploitedTrope the guy hired the copycats so the BAU would have to consult with him]], which gave him an opportunity to escape.]]

* In [[LieToMe]] Cal ends up going to a serial rapist and torturer looking for clues about the recent string of copycat crimes.[[spoiler: it turns out to be the first victim's boyfriend.]]
** A similar situation arises in NCIS, with a serial killer Gibbs put away early in his career.

Desperate for leads and not willing [[ToKnowHimIMustBecomeHim to "become" the person he is looking for]], the detective running the investigation will make, at least, one visit to the jail cell of this special prisoner who is just as demented and evil and dangerous as the murdering maniac currently on the loose (often, [[EvilerThanThou even more so]]). Such a prisoner is typically so dangerous that special precautions (shackles, straight-jackets, etc.) need to be taken either to make sure he can't leave his cell or can't attack the detective visiting him. Nonetheless, this prisoner is the only person who can understand and figure out what that maniac is thinking.

** [[spoiler: Well, initially, he is ''very'' helpful since the info he gives them helps them find the link between the murder victims and from there leads them right to the killer. Its just that he gives his only piece of information up immediately, and ''after'' that is just screwing with them to get what he wants, so he doesn't outstay his usefulness.]]

Desperate for leads and not willing [[ToKnowHimIMustBecomeHim to "become" the person he is looking for]], the detective running the investigation will make, at least, one visit to the jail cell of this special prisoner who is just as demented and evil and dangerous as the murdering maniac currently on the loose. Such a prisoner is typically so dangerous that special precautions (shackles, straight-jackets, etc.) need to be taken either to make sure he can't leave his cell or can't attack the detective visiting him. Nonetheless, this prisoner is the only person who can understand and figure out what that maniac is thinking.

* [[DefiedTrope Defied]] and [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] in a Series 1 episode of ''{{Luther}}'' when Luther tries to pick [[TheSociopath Alice]] [[PoisonousFriend Morgan]]'s brain for insight into the killer in one of his cases, she points out that [[LackOfEmpathy she doesn't suddenly gain the ability to understand other people]] just because one is a killer like her ([[RunningGag allegedly]]) and that, ultimately, this criminal's mindset is as alien to her as it is to Luther or, indeed, as any human's mindset would be to her.

* [[DefiedTrope Defied]] and [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] in a Series 1 episode of ''{{Luther}}'' when [[CowboyCop John]] tries to pick [[TheSociopath Alice]] [[PoisonousFriend Morgan]]'s brain for insight into the killer in one of his cases, she points out that [[LackOfEmpathy she doesn't suddenly gain the ability to understand other people]] just because one is a killer like her ([[RunningGag allegedly]]) and that, ultimately, this criminal's mindset is as alien to her as it is to Luther or, indeed, as any human's mindset would be to her.

* Subverted almost to the point of deconstruction in Series 1 of ''{{Luther}}'': when [[CowboyCop John]] tries to pick [[TheSociopath Alice]] [[PoisonousFriend Morgan]]'s brain for insight into the killer in one of his cases, she points out that [[LackOfEmpathy she doesn't suddenly gain the ability to understand other people]] just because one is a killer like her ([[RunningGag allegedly]]) and that, ultimately, this criminal's mindset is as alien to her as it is to Luther or, indeed, as any human's mindset would be to her.

* Subverted almost to the point of deconstruction in Series 1 of ''{{Luther}}'': when [[CowboyCop John]] tries to pick [[TheSociopath Alice]] [[PoisonousFriend Morgan]]'s brain for insight into the killer in one of his cases, she points out that [[LackOfEmpathy she doesn't suddenly gain the ability to understand other people]] just because one is a killer like her ([[RunningGag allegedly]]) and that, ultimately, this criminal's mindset is as alien to her as it is to Luther or, indeed, as any human's mindset would be to her.

* In an attempt to catch the Green River Killer, members of the police task force assigned to the case periodically interviewed Ted Bundy. However, Bundy's advice wasn't very helpful to the investigation.

** Third time's the charm with ''Outfoxed'', where the team has to consult Karl Arnold when a new family annihilator emerges. When they get in contact with Arnold, they find out that it seems as though the new killer has contacted him. [[spoiler: Turns out ''she'' didn't and the note was actually from a much worse source: The Boston Reaper.]]

* Third time's the charm with ''Outfoxed'', where the team has to consult Karl Arnold when a new family annihilator emerges. When they get in contact with Arnold, they find out that it seems as though the new killer has contacted him. [[spoiler: Turns out ''she'' didn't and the note was actually from a much worse source: The Boston Reaper.]]

* ''MajinTanteiNougamiNeuro'' has Aya Asia often advising Yako on things.

* Subverted almost to the point of deconstruction in Series 1 of ''{{Luther}}'': when [[CowboyCop John]] tries to pick [[TheSociopath Alice]] [[PoisonousFriend Morgan]]'s brain for insight into the killer in one of his cases, she points out that [[LackOfEmpathy she doesn't suddenly gain the ability to understand other people]] just because one is a killer like her ([[RunningGag allegedly]] and that, ultimately, this criminal's mindset is as alien to her as it is to Luther or, indeed, as any human's mindset would be to her.

Gaining this knowledge will usually come at a price, however. In exchange for any help he gives towards catching the killer at large, the prisoner will usually request to receive something in return, including freedom or greater/extended privileges within captivity. Occasionally, the detective paying the visit(s) may be personally responsible for the prisoner being behind bars in the first place, adding to the tension in their meetings. As such, the prisoner may hold ulterior motives for seeking vengeance or escaping captivity or may otherwise try to be deceitful. However, one way or another, the prisoner will usually be providing ''some'' clue as to who the killer on the loose is or where he could be found.

* The ''{{Fillmore}}'' episode "To Mar a Stall" is one big ShoutOut to ''SilenceOfTheLambs''. In it, Fillmore consults with Randall the Vandal, who is kept in a permanent state of detention, in order to gain insight into the mind of the mystery vandal 'Stainless'.

[[AC: {{Fanfiction}}]]
* In the HarryPotter no magic AU by radowan, titled Yours, In Murder, Harry is a psychologist who works with the Mugwumps, an elite police squad that deals with serial killers. Due to a particularly challenging murderer Harry, by the order of his superior officer Albus Dumbledore, has to consult with the convicted serial killer that murdered his own parents, Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. Of course LV wants something in return and has a load of hidden motives.

* In ''{{CSI}}'' Langston seeks the help of his nemesis, serial killer Nate Haskell, to catch the "Dr. Jekyl Killer". [[spoiler: He isn't really that helpful and mostly just messes them around. His actual plan was to goad a guard into [[ShockCollar shocking him]] as to fall and break his own glasses... and using the broken arms from said glasses to stab Langston through the bars of his holding cell.]]

* ''FanFic/ImAMarvelAndImADC'''s 's "Happy Hour" story arc sees Spider-Man and Batman visit Lex Luthor in custody to ask questions about how his android Lance works, after the Joker had acquired it and began using it for a nefarious purpose. However, Luthor was brainwashed by Joker before the heroes had arrived and informs Joker when they get to him. Luthor only provides helpful information after Batman acquires Wonder Woman's golden lasso, which he promptly uses on Luthor.

* One brief ''JudgeDredd'' StoryArc followed Dredd aiming to catch a spree-killer in Mega-City One who disintegrates his victims' bodies, only leaving their right hands. Noting similarities to a past case involving a spree-killer who had a similar motive with left hands, which Dredd had solved, Dredd consults with the perpetrator of the original crimes, now in an iso-cube. The prisoner requests that he get "a cube with a view" for his assistance, but Dredd convinces him to provide insight unconditionally after threatening him. The prisoner then divulges what he could assume about his CopycatKiller, the most important part being that the suspect must come from Brit-Cit because that's the only place the prisoner's original crimes are given any recognition. Part One of this story arc was even titled, "[[ShoutOut The Silence of the]] [[{{Pun}} Limbs]]".

* In ''{{Backdraft}}'', [=Brian McCaffery=] approaches an imprisoned serial arsonist, Ronald Bartel, in need of assistance in finding the missing links between a string of recent fires that seem to be connected.

* ''ImAMarvelAndImADC'''s 's "Happy Hour" story arc sees Spider-Man and Batman visit Lex Luthor in custody to ask questions about how his android Lance works, after the Joker had acquired it and began using it for a nefarious purpose. However, Luthor was brainwashed by Joker before the heroes had arrived and informs Joker when they get to him. Luthor only provides helpful information after Batman acquires Wonder Woman's golden lasso, which he promptly uses on Luthor.