 Mystery: November 12, 2025 Issue [#13443] |
This week: According to procedure Edited by: Arakun the Twisted Raccoon  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Quote for the week:
"Mystery spread its cloak across the sky.
We lost our way.
Shadows fell from trees.
They knew why." |
A police procedural is a type of mystery story that follows the investigative process, usually with a police officer or detective as a protagonist.
Most procedurals attempt a somewhat accurate depiction of the investigative process that includes or mentions topics such as forensic science, autopsies, and the evidence gathering process. However the genre has been criticized for inaccurate depictions of the investigative process and for always showing cops as "good guys." For example, the different "CSI" television series often show forensic scientists carrying out parts of the investigative process that they would never be involved in, such as questioning suspects and making arrests.
Some authors have been able to successfully integrate police procedurals with other genres. The "Rivers of London" series by Ben Aaronovitch and the "Arcane Casebook" series by Dan Willis are both police procedurals in fictional universes where magic is real. The detectives in both these series have magical abilities and investigate magical and supernatural crimes. In the DC universe, Barry Allan (The Flash) is a superhero who was a forensic scientist in the days before forensic science was commonly featured in crime dramas and novels.
Some authors of police procedurals make the mistake of veering away from focusing on the investigative process to the characters' personal lives and relationships. This often seems to happen with novel series and TV shows that have been going on for a long time. While it is important to have well developed, realistic characters, the main focus needs to be on the cases and investigations. One series that seems to strike this balance perfectly is the "Black Beacons" series by Welsh writer Rhys Dylan. Part of the charm of this series is the relationships and banter between the characters and the depiction of the Welsh countryside, but the main focus is always on the cases.
Before writing police procedural stories, it is a good idea to do research on the actual investigative process and the roles of different branches of law enforcement in the area where your story takes place. For example, in the state where I live, local police in smaller towns are seldom involved in murder investigations beyond the initial stages. These cases are all handled by the state Criminal Investigation Bureau. Resist the temptation to get your characters involved in an investigation that would not include them in real life.
Something to try: Write a story that follows a criminal investigation.
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