Do your homework when it comes to death/murder details, murder weapons, and forensics. Readers are savvy, and they check facts.

There are so many resources for writers. Read true crime articles for story ideas.

There are Internet sites and books that are helpful too. One of my favorites is Anne Wingate's Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime-scene Investigations.

If you know someone in the field, ask if you can interview him/her. Doctors, police officers, fire/rescue personnel, emergency room nurses, and insurance adjusters are great resources.