Research Tips for Mystery Writers

Research is the foundation of believable mystery fiction. Whether you're writing about forensic pathology, police procedures, or exotic poisons, your readers will notice when details ring false. But research isn't just about getting facts right—it's about discovering story possibilities you never imagined. Here's how to research like a professional mystery writer.

The Research Mindset: Think Like a Detective

Approach research with the same methodical curiosity you'd want your fictional detective to possess. Every expert you interview, every procedure you learn, every technical detail you uncover is potential story material.

Keep a Research Journal:

• Document sources and dates
• Note interesting tangents that arise
• Record expert contacts and their specialties
• Flag details that could become plot points

Question Everything:

• How long does a toxicology report really take?
• What would a detective notice first at a crime scene?
• What mistakes do TV shows always make?
• What procedures exist that fiction rarely shows?

Primary Sources: Building Your Expert Network

The best research comes from people who live and breathe your subject matter. Building relationships with experts pays dividends across multiple projects.

Law Enforcement Contacts:

Start with your local police department's community liaison office. Most departments are surprisingly willing to help writers who approach professionally.

• Patrol officers for street-level procedures
• Detectives for investigation processes
• Crime scene technicians for evidence collection
• Dispatch operators for communication protocols
• Retired officers often have more time and freedom to talk

Medical and Forensic Experts:

• Medical examiners/coroners (often more accessible than you'd expect)
• Emergency room doctors for trauma and injury details
• Pathology residents (often eager to share knowledge)
• Forensic anthropologists for skeletal remains cases
• Toxicologists for poison and drug cases

Legal Professionals:

• Prosecutors for legal procedures and courtroom dynamics
• Defense attorneys for alternative perspectives
• Court reporters for procedural details
• Paralegals for document processes

Specialized Experts:

Depending on your story needs:

• Locksmiths for breaking and entering details
• Security professionals for alarm systems
• Pharmacists for drug interactions
• Insurance investigators for fraud cases

Approaching Experts: The Professional Way

Do Your Homework First: Never approach an expert completely ignorant of their field. Basic research shows respect for their time and generates better questions.

Be Specific About Your Needs: Instead of "I'm writing a mystery," say "I'm writing about a detective investigating financial fraud in small banks. Could you help me understand how such investigations typically begin?"

Respect Their Time:

• Offer to buy coffee or lunch
• Come prepared with specific questions
• Be flexible with scheduling
• Always follow up with thanks

Sample Email Approach: "Dear Detective Smith,

I'm working on a mystery novel involving art theft investigations. I've done preliminary research but would value insights from someone with real experience. Would you be willing to speak with me for 20-30 minutes about how such cases typically develop? I'm happy to work around your schedule and meet wherever is convenient.

I understand you're busy, and I appreciate any time you can spare.

Best regards, [Your name]"

Online Research: Quality Control is Key

The internet offers vast information, but quality varies dramatically.

Reliable Sources:

• Government agency websites (FBI, CDC, DEA)
• Academic institution sites
• Professional organization publications
• Established news organizations with fact-checking
• Specialized forums moderated by professionals

Red Flag Sources:

• Wikipedia (good starting point, but verify elsewhere)
• Personal blogs without credentials
• Forums without moderation
• Sites selling products related to your research topic
• Sources that can't be cross-referenced

Research Tools:

• Google Scholar for academic papers
• Library databases (often free with library card)
• Government document repositories
• Professional association websites
• Medical and legal databases

Specific Research Areas for Mystery Writers

Police Procedures:

Common areas needing research:

• Chain of custody for evidence
• Miranda rights (when required, what they actually say)
• Jurisdictional issues
• Timeline for various processes
• Technology used in investigations
• Budgetary constraints affecting investigations

Forensic Science:

Key topics:

• DNA testing timelines and limitations
• Fingerprint analysis accuracy
• Ballistics matching procedures
• Time of death determination methods
• Decomposition rates under various conditions
• Crime scene photography protocols

Poisons and Toxicology:

Research considerations:

• Absorption rates and symptoms
• Detection methods and timeframes
• Antidotes and treatments
• Natural vs. synthetic options
• Acquisition methods (what's realistic)
• Storage and stability issues

Legal Procedures:

Important elements:

• Arrest to trial timelines
• Bail and bond processes
• Discovery procedures
• Plea bargaining realities
• Jury selection processes
• Sentencing guidelines

Field Research: Getting Out There

Ride-Alongs: Many police departments offer civilian ride-alongs. Requirements vary, but most involve background checks and waivers.

Court Observations: Criminal court proceedings are public. Spend time watching real cases to understand courtroom dynamics, legal language, and procedural reality.

Professional Conferences: Organizations like Mystery Writers of America often host panels with law enforcement and forensic experts. Crime writers' conferences frequently feature expert speakers.

Training Programs: Some areas offer civilian police academies or forensic workshops open to the public.

Balancing Accuracy with Story Needs

When to Bend Reality:

Fiction isn't documentary. Sometimes story requirements conflict with absolute accuracy.

• DNA results in real life: weeks or months
• DNA results in fiction: days (acceptable with explanation)
• Police work in reality: often tedious
• Police work in fiction: streamlined for pacing

The 80% Rule: Aim for 80% accuracy. Get the big things right, but don't let small inaccuracies derail your story. Readers will forgive compressed timeframes but not fundamental procedural errors.

Expert Disclaimers: Many published mysteries include acknowledgments explaining where they've taken liberties with procedures for story purposes.

Research Organization and Storage

Digital Organization:

• Create topic-based folders
• Use consistent file naming
• Back up everything
• Consider cloud storage for accessibility

Physical Materials:

• Dedicated notebook for each project
• Interview transcripts dated and labeled
• Business cards from contacts
• Reference photos and diagrams

Source Tracking: Always note sources completely. You may need to verify information later or want to contact experts for future projects.

Ethical Considerations

Confidentiality: Respect any off-the-record information. Some experts will share more freely if they trust your discretion.

Accuracy in Portrayal: Avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes about law enforcement, legal professionals, or other groups you're researching.

Sensitivity to Victims: When researching real crimes for inspiration, remember that real people were affected. Handle such material with appropriate respect.

Common Research Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Relying on Television: TV procedurals prioritize drama over accuracy. Use them for entertainment, not research.

Assuming Universal Practices: Procedures vary by jurisdiction, department size, and local laws. What's true in Los Angeles may not apply in rural Montana.

Research Rabbit Holes: Set boundaries. It's easy to spend months researching ballistics when your story only needs a single shooting scene.

Ignoring Recent Changes: Technology and procedures evolve. Ensure your information is current, especially for contemporary settings.

Making Research Pay Off

Create Reference Sheets: Develop cheat sheets for procedures you use frequently. This saves time on future projects.

Build Series Potential: Thorough research for one book often provides material for several. Consider series possibilities when choosing research directions.

Network for Future Projects: Today's expert contact may be next year's plot consultant. Maintain professional relationships.

Conclusion: Research as Creative Fuel

Good research doesn't constrain creativity—it enhances it. Every conversation with an expert, every procedure you learn, every technical detail you master becomes a tool in your storytelling arsenal.

The goal isn't to become a forensic pathologist or homicide detective. It's to understand these fields well enough to write convincingly about them and to discover story possibilities that only come from genuine knowledge.

Start with your current project's immediate needs, but think long-term. The research foundation you build today will support years of compelling, believable mystery fiction.

Remember: readers trust authors who clearly know their subject matter. That trust allows them to suspend disbelief for the story elements that really matter—your characters, plot twists, and the emotional journey you're taking them on.