Prime suspect is a crime drama genre that uses conventions like setting, costumes, and mise-en-scene to represent characters and advance the plot. One convention it goes against is representing the female character Jane Tenison as powerful and in control, unlike typical male-dominated characters. Sound is used to set different atmospheres - ambient sounds accompany scenes in the prison to immerse viewers, while non-diegetic sounds like violins add suspense during interrogations. Facial expressions and shots like a close-up on a prisoner reading show inner thoughts and emotions that engage the audience.