No law enforcement officer would pull over a vehicle without running the license plate. This would inform the LEO if the vehicle is stolen or suspected of any problems. Additionally, in most jurisdictions, it could also be determined if anyone that's associated with that vehicle has a criminal record. That association could be due to being on the registration or having been previously pulled over in the vehicle.
During Dr. Paula Reyes' surgery, the close-up shot of her scalpel clearly shows that it is a prop rather than a real surgical instrument--its blade has no bevel and is blunt, as is its point.