Even for those who have worn a gun and badge, research is an essential part of writing crime novels. In fact, if you have a background in law enforcement, readers hold you to a higher standard. You’d better get your facts straight.
I found myself in just such a situation when I was writing the second chapter of an FBI thriller, A DIFFERENT DAWN. The scene was told from the point of view of a serial killer who used night vision to sneak into the homes of families at night without waking them. Because I hadn’t used advanced tactical equipment during my career, I did some online research. First, I learned that “night vision goggles,” is an antiquated term.
Also outdated was my notion of grainy images in glowing green against a gray backdrop, which is far from cutting edge technology. It didn’t take long to realize that—since I was describing the scene from inside the perpetrator’s head—I needed to get firsthand experience with the equipment. Online videos were not going to cut it.
Fortunately, I know someone on a SWAT team who graciously agreed to a live demonstration. He arrived the next day with lots of gear. I was surprised at the sheer size of the lenses, which were mounted to a ballistic helmet. I put it on, and he turned out the lights. I was shocked at how well I could see. Everything was in color. This was like looking around in daylight.
He activated his rifle’s night-sight, and I could easily see the glowing pinpoint wherever he directed it. He could acquire a target in pitch darkness with no problem whatsoever. I was deeply impressed, and a bit stunned, at how effectively police and military personnel could operate without any light.
After experiencing these capabilities firsthand, I was able to write the scene more effectively to convey the eerie feeling of moving around in stealth mode and how someone using that technology would have an overwhelming advantage in any situation.
I was humbled and thrilled when the book went on to be a Wall Street Journal bestseller and won an award for Best Adventure Novel. Being one of “Those Who Know” as part of the Murder Books group has inspired me to go the extra mile to give readers the best approximation to an authentic law enforcement experience possible without getting into a squad car. Total accuracy is never possible in fiction, but people can tell when it feels real.
