I taught courses for Federal Agents on the Miami shootout, and had a chance to talk to the Sgt. who did the crime scene investigation. Mr. Ross wrote fiction, including his alligations about what the two agents with MP5's were doing. I know - I read several of the PD reports. which, much to the FBI's chagrin, were honest. (One agent was in the bathroom when the intercept took place. The other had parked in front of a bank, went in to talk to the manager. The manager did not belive he was an agent, and was stalling while waiting for the police. Neither one had a portable raido.)
The biggest error in the book, in my opinion, was the blank search warrants. Here is how it really works:
1. Draft Affidavit
2. Get supervisor OK (no initials, the next step does not happen)
3. Take to U.S. Attorney, get initials, he/she makes 3/4 copies for files (as above).
4. Take to Judge's clerk, who checks for intials.
5. See Judge. You sign, he/she signs, his clerk makes 6 copies for files, U.S. Attorney, etc.
6. NOW you get to serve warrant.
Everyone involved has copies, or they could be subject to Federal Prosicution. No Judge would sign a blank warrant - he/she could go to prison for it!
If you suspend disbelife, it can be an interesting read. But never mistake any of it for fact.
And yes, I know how they got the original warrant for Waco - I have a copy!