Fall's Top Detectives

If you did the crime, you'll definitely do the time if these detectives are on the case. From Columbo to Sipowicz, TV detectives have typically displayed a sharp eye, trusty gut, and certain grit that help them nail the bad-guy-scum every time. This season's current lineup of TV detectives even has a couple of new tricks up their sleeves. Click through this slideshow to see the top TV detectives who should have the baddies shaking in their boots this fall.Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Gil Grissom, Ph.D. ("CSI") is a man of science working for the Clark County, Nevada Crime Scene Investigation team. Grissom's specialty is forensic entomology (his sophisticated knowledge of insects inspired his nickname "The Bug Man") and he serves as the night-shift supervisor to a team who respects and trusts him. When he takes the time to "look up from the microscope," Grissom confides the most in Assistant Supervisor Catherine Willows but refuses to involve himself in office politics. Sadly, Grissom will be leaving Las Vegas this season, but hopefully it won't be the last we see of him. Thursdays at 9pm ET on CBSCBS/Monty Brinton - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Dr. Temperance Brennan ("Bones") may not be a detective by trade, but nobody dissects a case quite like she does. Employed by the renowned Jeffersonian Institution, Dr. Brennan is a forensic anthropologist (and best-selling novelist) who specializes in examining unidentifiable human remains of murder victims brought to her by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth. What Brennan desperately lacks in social skills, she more than makes up for with her specialized knowledge and keen focus. Wednesdays at 8pm ET on Fox FOX/Carin Baer - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Ned ("Pushing Daisies") is a shy and reserved pie maker by day who makes extra money working as a special assistant to Emerson Cod, a private investigator. Ned has a certain skill that helps solve murders and makes him extra special. With one touch, Ned can bring the dead back to life (though he prefers to keep them alive for only one minute or suffer the consequences of an innocent bystander dropping dead to take the original victim's place). What better way is there to find a murderer than to ask the murdered what happened? Wednesdays at 8pm ET on ABCABC/Ron Tom - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Patrick Jane ("The Mentalist") may have been a fraud as a psychic medium, but his skills of keen observation are 100% authentic. After giving up his gig as a TV clairvoyant, Jane now makes his living as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), putting those skills to better use solving tricky criminal cases. Although his contributions are helpful, his theatrical style is not entirely welcome by Senior Agent Lisbon who resists using him on her team. Tuesdays at 9pm ET on CBSCBS/Cliff Lipson - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Lilly Rush ("Cold Case") is a dedicated detective on the predominately male Philadelphia homicide squad. Rush found her calling when she was assigned Philadelphia's unsolved or "cold" cases, where she manages to uncover new and relevant information from witnesses who are years removed from the original crime, typically leading to a conviction and long-overdue justice for the victims and their loved ones. Detective Rush's ultimate mission is to ensure no victim is ever forgotten. Sundays at 9pm ET on CBSCBS/Mitchell Haddad - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Dr. Charlie Epps ("Numb3rs") is a math prodigy and all around good guy who utilizes his astounding mathematical skills to help his older brother, FBI agent Don Epps, solve complicated cases, all while trying to balance a full-time Applied Mathematics teaching position at CalSci and a personal life. Charlie has also served as a cryptanalyst, cracking codes for the National Security Agency (NSA). Fridays at 10pm ET on CBS CBS/Robert Voets - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Olivia Dunham ("Fringe") is a young FBI agent who was suddenly confronted with the world of fringe science. A former Marine, Agent Dunham was hand-picked by Homeland Security Agent Phillip Broyles to lead an investigative task force assigned to probe "The Pattern," an inexplicable sequence of phenomena that appears to be rapidly and widely spreading. Is someone performing unauthorized and dangerous experiments around the world? Hopefully Dunham's unique ability to identify "The Pattern" will lead her team to uncover the shocking truth. Tuesdays at 9pm ET on FoxFOX/Craig Blankenhorn - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Detective Robert Goren ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent") works in the Major Case Division of the NYPD with his partner Detective Eames. Due to his vast intellect and uncanny ability to pick up on the tiniest of details, Det. Goren has been called a modern day Sherlock Holmes. When it comes to cracking the case, his most valuable skill is put to work in the interrogation room where he unnerves and manipulates suspects by exploiting their weaknesses and ultimately provokes them into giving up key information. Unfortunately, mental illness runs in Bobby's family (he recently learned that his biological father was a well-known serial killer) and last season he was temporarily suspended and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Returns this November on USAUSA/Will Hart - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Special Agent Derek Morgan ("Criminal Minds") is a member of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) in Quantico, Virginia. With a black belt in Judo, Agent Morgan is typically first on the scene (often with SWAT). He is an expert in obsession-related crimes, field-savvy, good with a gun (and diffusing bombs), and is not afraid to take risks in the pursuit of criminals. Wednesdays at 9pm ET on CBS CBS/Eric McCandless/ABC - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM

Detective Charlie Crews ("Life") may have an axe to grind against a system that convicted him of a crime he didn't commit, but after being exonerated, Crews chose to return to the police force with a new appreciation for life and a practice of Zen that helps him maintain focus and gain insight into his criminal investigations. Shortly after becoming a free man, Crews honed in on the man who actually committed the murders he was wrongly convicted of, but he is still unraveling the conspiracy behind his being framed. Fridays at 10pm ET on NBCNBC/Hopper Stone - Wednesday, October, 8, 2008, 11:8 PM