Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 126

The Toughest Sheriff in the US – A Case Study in Pink

I've been following Sheriff Joe Apraio from Maricopa County in Arizona for some time now. As a writer, I love to find interesting and controversial "real" characters that serve as inspiration for stories. Sheriff Apraio definitely fits that category as a loved, hated, innovative, and extremely controversial person.

Who is Sheriff Apraio?

Sheriff Joe Apraio has been a police officer and DEA agent. He is currently serving his 5th term as Sheriff for Maricopa County. He became controversial back i...

Do Serial Killers Actually Have to Commit the Crime?

Perhaps it's because this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the grisly murders but, as I was flipping through the channels last night, I noticed that both MSNBC and Fox News were airing specials about Charlie Manson. One program focused on the mind of Manson by studying an interview he gave in 1987. The other show was more of a general retelling of the events. Even several decades later, just the image of Charles Manson is enough to fascinate and terrify most people. As one of the commen...

Crime on the Rise in California's State Parks

Readers of this blog know that I am a passionate fan of nature and all of the beauty it offers. I like to take my camera and capture some amazing moments outside as a break from my writing. When you write about serial killers all day, you need to get outside and stare at a beautiful flower once in a while! However, I read a disturbing article recently that, unfortunately, illustrates all too clearly that crime and nature sometime intersect in my home state of California.

Crime in our state...

Emily's Crime Watch – Tip #11

When should you call 9-1-1?

You should call 9-1-1 when any life or property is endangered, suspicious activity, or a crime is in progress.

Be observant and calm so that you can describe the 5 "W"s to the police or dispatcher.

1. Who – person(s) involved

2. What – the incident or what's happening

3. When – the time it occurred

4. Where – the location or address

5. Weapons – the type(s) and quantity used

Try and remember these three areas if possible when describing a crime or suspicious activity...

How Many Characters Do You Kill Off in a Thriller Novel?

I've had this question posed to me recently and I had to stop and really think about it. How many characters are too many and how many are not enough to kill off in a thriller novel?

My first answer was… I'm not really sure. I don't think there is a special number of appropriate deaths for thriller novels.

I've just finished my second novel Dead Game and it's currently at the publishers where they will conduct their novel magic. It's extremely exciting to be working with a graphic artist and co...

If Emily Stone Had a TV Show, This Would Be the Title

Every so often, I will flip by the program "To Catch a Predator" when it is being re-aired as part of the late-night programming on MSNBC. I am sure that many of you are familiar with the show. Host Chris Hansen surprises men who have arrived at a home with the intention of having sex with an underage boy or girl. Hansen reads from a printout of the graphic online conversations, the TV cameras enter the room with Hansen's identity and purpose revealed, and then the men run out of the house...

Microsoft Enters the World of Forensics

My book Compulsion focuses on some of the most violent crimes that take place in our society, like murder, rape, and pedophilia, and the evidence that is needed to capture the perpetrators. Emily Stone is a freelance detective who shows great expertise at finding the criminal operating in his element and then collecting the documentation that will bring him to justice. However, forensic material is not just essential to crimes of violence. Even acts in which no physical injury occurred ca...

Are There Two Varieties of Psychopaths?

I recently came across an interesting article explaining that psychopaths may come in two varieties: psychopaths who are incarcerated for criminal acts and psychopaths who may never be incarcerated or caught for their criminal acts.

I thought this was an interesting concept to ponder and wondered what significant outcome this would render for the criminal justice system.

The article is based on the working theory that there is a difference between psychopathic individuals who exhibit these type...

Trying to Understand the Psychology of Workplace Violence

How often have you found yourself watching a news story about a horrific crime and wondered to yourself (or maybe even out loud), "How could someone do such a thing to another human being?" The study of forensic psychology examines what a criminal is thinking and how he perceives the world around him when he is plotting and executing his crimes. I incorporated my own study in the field into my book "Compulsion" as well as my forthcoming release, Dead Game.

In recent weeks, on both coasts, we h...

Emily's Crime Watch – Tip #10

Emily wanted me to talk about a safety issue that many people have expressed their recent concerns - home security and what to do to keep your family and home safe from burglaries or home invasions.

There are two important aspects to remember for home security against potential break-ins: secure you home with proper hardware and electronics, and make sure that your entire family ALWAYS uses them correctly. Follow these guidelines with no exceptions.

Remember, if you come home and your house has...