When writing a mystery, thriller, or suspense novel, getting the investigative details right will make or break your story. Think your readers don’t notice you’re full of **it? Think again! Readers are much smarter than you give them credit for, and one misstep in how a murder is handled by law enforcement can pull them right out of the narrative. And though you might not be arrested for your crimes, you’re still caught red-handed!
In this post, I’ll walk through the real-life steps of a homicide investigation—from the moment police arrive at the scene to the final conviction in court.
Ready? Watch this before we start . . . (Trust me. It’s worth it.)
Step 1: The Crime Scene—Securing and Processing
The first officers on the scene have one priority: to preserve life. If the victim is still alive, emergency medical personnel will rush to the scene. But once a homicide is confirmed, the scene becomes evidence—and every second counts.
Key Procedures:
- Officers secure the area, blocking off access to prevent contamination.
- The first responder logs everything: time of arrival, weather conditions, position of the body, and anything unusual.
- The lead detective arrives, assessing the crime and determining next steps.
- Forensic specialists document the scene, taking photos, videos, and measurements before moving a single object.
Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid:
❌ Having detectives touch or move the body immediately.
❌ Allowing too many people into the crime scene.
❌ Detectives making assumptions before gathering evidence.
Check out this short video that gives you an introduction to what happens at a crime scene.
Step 2: Evidence Collection & Forensic Analysis
Every crime scene tells a story, and forensics helps investigators uncover it.
Types of Evidence Collected:
- Physical evidence (weapons, footprints, fingerprints, bullet casings)
- Biological evidence (blood, hair, fibers, DNA)
- Digital evidence (surveillance footage, phone records, computer searches)
At this stage, forensic specialists analyze blood spatter patterns, gunshot residue, and toxicology reports to reconstruct the crime. Meanwhile, detectives start interviewing witnesses.
Writing Tip: If your story involves DNA analysis, remember that real-life results don’t come back in hours—they can take weeks or months, unless it’s a high-profile case. In many cases, having DNA evidence doesn’t always mean a conviction. Some cases go cold because a suspect’s DNA is not in the system.
Want to hear about an interesting case? Check out this podcast episode about the first time blood spatter evidence helped solve a case on the Cruel Tea podcast.
Step 3: The Suspect Search & Interrogation
Detectives develop a suspect list based on:
- Victim’s last known interactions
- Financial, romantic, or personal conflicts
- Evidence found at the scene
- Information gathered from known acquaintances
If a suspect is identified, interrogation follows strict legal procedures. One wrong move, and any evidence discovered during an interrogation could be thrown out of court. The Miranda rights (“You have the right to remain silent . . .”) are read before questioning begins.
Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid:
❌ Having detectives beat confessions out of suspects (illegal and rarely effective).
❌ Assuming lie detectors are foolproof (they’re not admissible in most courts).
❌ Solving the case too quickly without realistic investigative work.
Step 4: Arrest, Trial & Conviction
If enough evidence links a suspect to the crime, detectives present their case to the district attorney (DA), who decides whether to press charges.
- If arrested, the suspect goes through arraignment (formal charges are read).
- Defense attorneys may challenge the evidence, leading to plea bargains or trial.
- Getting to a jury trial takes time in the real world. In some cases, getting a conviction can take years.
- In court, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a high bar to clear.
Key Writing Takeaway: Not all murder cases end with a conviction. Cases can go cold, mistrials happen, and some criminals walk free. Using these elements can add realism and tension to your story.
Final Thoughts: Writing a Realistic Murder Investigation
If you want your thriller or mystery to feel authentic, research is key. Consider reading books by former detectives, studying real-life cases, or even interviewing law enforcement officers.
Want more insights on law enforcement accuracy in fiction? Join my exclusive writer’s community, where I break down forensic techniques, real-life case studies, and editing tips tailored for crime writers.
P.S. You can also read some standard operating procedures for the homicide unit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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