Working with the FBI to Write Your Legal Thriller

As a reader, there is nothing worse than finding glaring factual errors in an otherwise solid story. That's why research is so important. In writing legal thrillers, it's not just about getting the courtroom scenes right. It's about getting police procedure and investigative techniques right as well. Today let's assume your legal thriller takes place not in state court but in federal court. What that means for your story is that, for the most part, you won't be dealing with state and local cops and their procedures. You'll be dealing with the feds. Depending on your story line, the accused may have been investigated by any one of several federal investigative bodies within the Department of Justice (DOJ). Generally, you will be dealing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Let's assume the accused was investigated by the FBI. One book I keep handy on my desk is the FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics, published by the FBI. Although technical, the handbook provides great starting points and is an open door to hundreds of new ideas. Luckily, you don't have to rely solely on books. The FBI itself is sometimes willing to lend a hand. In fact, the FBI has been aiding authors and producers for eighty years, through their Investigative Publicity and Public Affairs Unit (IPPAU). The unit, which operates under the FBI's Office of Public Affairs, consists of a small staff that spends a portion of its time assisting authors and other artists, including domestic and international screenwriters. The IPPAU considers projects on a case-by-case basis, and requires some pertinent information from you, including a description of your project.

The IPPAU can offer guidance on a number of topics, including FBI investigations, procedures, structure, history, uniforms and weaponry. For more information, visit the FBI website's Guide for Writers, Authors, and Producers .