Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 19
April 16, 2016
The Bystander Effect and What it Represents in Society Today
In my Emily Stone Series, my protagonist is a woman who has made the decision to get involved when she knows a crime is being committed. Emily Stone uses her intelligence, her intuition, and a few helpful pieces of technology to track the most dangerous predators in our society. She does all of this work anonymously, and forwards the evidence and entire investigation for the local police department before moving onto her next case. Well, it doesn’t always go the way as...
April 12, 2016
Examining the Digits: Uncovering Tough Clues in Crime Investigations
There are forensic scientists discovering and applying new scientific techniques to help solve cases and uncovering clues in cold cases. Since fingerprints are the most fragile pieces of evidence in a criminal investigation and are the most important to identify the perpetrator, they are the first to be located, documented, retrieved, and examined.
Some of the most common ways to retrieve a fingerprint at a crime scene is by dusting techniques, cyanoacrylate fuming (Sup...
April 2, 2016
I’ve Stared Into the Heart of a Psychopath
As with my fictional heroine Emily Stone, I have stared into the heart of psychopath. The first book in the award-winning Emily Stone Series is loosely based on some of my experiences with a violent sociopath that lived next door. It was not only an interesting, eye-opening experience, but a frightening one as well. It drove me to study and eventually earn my master’s degree in Criminology. I lived my life for more than two years with the threat that I would be murdered...
March 23, 2016
Psychological Triggers and Obsessions of the Serial Killer Mind
“We’ve all got the power in our hands to kill, but most people are afraid to use it. The ones who aren’t afraid control life itself.” –Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker, Los Angeles, CA)
We hear about serial killers crossing that dangerous psychological line into the act of murder. There is a big leap from the fantasy phase to the actual criminal act. It’s the impulse control mechanism that is instilled in human beings. Basically, we know it’s wrong to kill another hu...
March 17, 2016
Impression Evidence Takes a Front Row Seat at Crime Scenes
I receive many questions from authors and writers, as well as curious folks who ask questions about impression evidence–and what falls into this category. This is a previous post that gives you some foundation for what makes up impression evidence and how important it is to searching a crime scene area.
“There is no branch of detective science that is so important and so much neglected as the art of tracing footsteps”, simply stated by the fictional detective character,...
March 14, 2016
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Film Actress Kim Poirier
I have a real treat for readers and blog followers today. I cannot convey how excited I am that actress Kim Poirier is here to answer a few questions. It has been a huge blessing for me to have this awesome and beautiful actress embrace my Emily Stone character. When I was first discussing the possibilities of a “live-action” book trailer about my fictional heroine Emily Stone with director Andy Palmer, I was very adamant about the type of actress I wanted. To be honest...
March 10, 2016
4 of the World’s Most Reputable Police Forces
Photo courtesy of prince2.ca.
It is not easy to determine what makes a great police force. Is it raw statistics? Stellar community relations? Job satisfaction? Maybe it is a combination of those, and many other, factors.
Regardless of how you would define a ‘top’ police department, the fact remains – some police forces consistently get the job done, and get it done right. These highly trained and disciplined men and women operate with one central mission, and that is – keeping us safe from...
March 7, 2016
Is Crime Fiction Going to the Dogs?
It’s no secret that I’m a dog lover. In fact, I cannot imagine my life without at least one canine buddy in my household. The toughest part of having a dog, or any pet for that matter, is that their life is relatively short. The sadness of losing any pet is great, but the benefits and happiness of their lifespan together with us offers so much more.
My first dog, when I was two-years-old, was a rescued two-year-old Golden Retriever named Gina. We grew up together and were the same age, which...
February 26, 2016
GUEST POST: Understanding Mitochondrial DNA with D.P. Lyle
I’m absolutely delighted to have D.P. Lyle on my blog today! He’s an amazing writer, doctor, and forensic expert. I had the honor and opportunity to serve with him on a panel at Bouchercon 2014 to talk about forensics and the real CSI. I highly recommend that any writer, or anyone for that matter, who wants to incorporate anything about crime scene investigation and forensics into their stories to check out: Forensics for Dummies 2nd Edition.
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Understanding Mitochondrial DNA
by D.P. Lyle...
February 23, 2016
Getting Away with Murder: 4 Infamous Cases
Photo courtesy of www.123rf.com .
With murder, comes the inevitable feeling of tragedy and outrage. But, sometimes, the tragedy of the actual heinous act is overshadowed by the outrage of a great injustice. That is, when a murderer is not held accountable for their actions, and is set free to wreak havoc once again.
How does a murderer escape the hands of justice, even when the evidence against them is overwhelming? Well, the methods and stories vary, but here’s four people who managed to get...
