Scene of the Crime

A closer look at the story

Scene of the Crime, known in German as Tatort, is a long-running crime series set in different cities and regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Shown by ARD broadcasters in Germany, by Austria's ORF and by Swiss public television, the series comes to viewers each time from a different place, with different investigative teams. Its murder cases revolve around issues that affect, or have affected, everyday life in society. German reunification, terrorism, organ trafficking, globalisation, racism, drug use, environmental scandals, child abuse, unemployment, industrial crime, problems in elderly care and even dating services are among the subjects the show has tackled. Social problems are not always resolved, but the killer is always found. Detectives such as Max Ballauf, Ivo Batic, Franz Leitmayr, Freddy Schenk and Lena Odenthal are among the series' best-known faces. On the air since 1970, the show has featured actors including Klaus J. Behrendt, Miroslav Nemec, Udo Wachtveitl, Dietmar Bär and Ulrike Folkerts.