The Element of Crime

Detective Fisher (Michael Elphick) is an ex-detective who takes on a final case to investigate a mysterious serial killer claiming the lives of several young girls. He turns to Osborne (Esmond Knight), a writer who was once respected for his contributions to criminology, but now disowns the techniques he invented. As Fisher becomes increasingly engrossed in simulating the life of the serial killer, he begins to lose himself and ultimately discovers that the true culprit is Osborne, who has been using the same techniques on Fisher.