According to the text, what is a crucial step in follow-up investigations?

Developing informants is a crucial step in follow-up investigations because informants can provide law enforcement with insider knowledge and access to information not available through public or traditional investigative methods. Informants can help fill in gaps in the investigation by sharing details about suspect activities, drug distribution networks, or criminal organizations, which can be pivotal in building a strong case.

Moreover, informants often have relationships within the criminal community that allow them to gather information that authorities might not be able to obtain through surveillance or official reports. This direct line of communication can lead to more effective investigations and the potential to uncover larger, systemic issues related to controlled substances.

In contrast, while confidential witness interviews can collect valuable testimonies, they don't necessarily provide the same level of ongoing insight into criminal operations. Checking online databases and distributing press releases serve distinct purposes in investigations but lack the depth of insider information that informants can offer, thus making the development of informants a critical step in follow-up investigations.