hey guys, i'm currently working on a crime story and wanted to know as much as possible about solving crimes, from forensics, to just good old detective work..where can i find out more about these things without being overwhelmed by all the terminologies and is there anyway you can make researching fun?? thanks
First, do the 'boring' research - get some basic knowledge via the internet and books from the library. Then - the fun part - call the public relations department of the local law enforcement agency, and explain what you need. If the local agency is large enough for a forensic department, the PR people should be able to get you touch with someone who can answer your questions. You could also try the state police or FBI. But do the drudge work first - the last thing you want to do is waste a valuable resource by asking questions you could have answered on your own.
I believe shadowing people in the field is the best way. You can pick up on little nuances, terminology, and you learn a lot about how it is done, and how it isn't done, even if what you learn isn't very in-depth. If no one will let you shadow, offer to buy a detective a meal, in exchange for the opportunity to discuss his profession as it relates to your story. People that like their profession love to talk about it, and if you go about it this way, you will also make a contact to call on, when more questions creep up. This same person may even let you volunteer on a case, and that would be ideal for you.
There are many books on police procedure fro writers, specific to the country you live in. Look it up on amazon, there should be a few to choose from.
