Criminal Intent follows a division of the New York City Police Department, the "Major Case Squad". The Major Case Squad investigates high-profile cases (in most cases,
murder) such as those involving
VIPs, local government officials and employees, the financial industry, and the art world. Unlike the other shows in the
Law & Order franchise, during Seasons 58,
Criminal Intent episodes typically alternated between two teams of detectives.
The series pays attention to the actions and motives of the criminals, rather than focusing exclusively on the police and prosecutions. A feature of each
Criminal Intent episode is that the
cold open always involves a series of cut-scenes that show events from the suspects' and victims' lives, leading up to the crime. Clues to the crime's eventual solution can often be found in this teaser sequence. Unlike other
Law & Order series, most
Criminal Intent episodes end in confessions rather than continuing to the trial phase.