@JRM2599 I would say it would depend on the tone you are trying to achieve. A grittier, closer to reality story is going to need more research to give it authenticity. But if it's a bit more fanciful or if the focus is less on the police work, you can go the more imaginative route. For MR. 8, I tried to research anything to do with the police and their process, equipment, etc. (For example, I remember looking up how many officers a small town would likely have and what they'd use for side arms). But I didn't worry about every detail either. There's lots of supernatural elements and Denton is not a trained officer, so it allowed me some liberties a police procedural story wouldn't.
