Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 34

Which Key Piece of Evidence Can Make or Break a Case?

I have received so many questions, comments and emails about fingerprint evidence and crime scene investigations, so I decided to keep with the theme from one of my previous posts about fingerprints. There is so much more the fingerprint evidence from discovery to identification.

The science of fingerprint identification is referred to as dactylography. Fingerprint evidence is absolutely key in a crime scene investigation. It is the most fragile piece of evidence that is searched for, document...

Confrontation with a Violent Sociopath Compelled Me to Pursue Criminology

As I look back in my life, I reflect and smile. It is interesting how certain situations can shape our decisions and ultimately the outcome of our lives. I have been blessed with many things, even the bad incidents. I try to learn something from every situation that I have been confronted with in my life – both positive and negative. There is always something to be learned from them. I cannot answer definitively if I would have chosen to immerse myself with the study of forensics and criminol...

Top 10 Favorite Blog Posts from Readers in 2013

I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog. You are ALL awesome! It keeps me inspired to share interesting areas of forensics and criminology as well as updates on my books. I have found it very interesting the articles that seem to generate the most interest. I can see that there are many of you that find serial killers and crime scene investigation fascinating – just like I do.

In case you have missed any of my previous posts, here are the top ten most visited posts in 2013.

1 Serial Ki...

The “Affluenza” Defense

As we move more into the New Year and leave the flurry of the holidays behind, it is time for me to catch up with some writing about several of the news stories involving criminal psychology that have developed over the past month or so. One case that quickly received national attention and sparked contentious debates about parenting and wealth came out of Houston, Texas.

Ethan Couch is a sixteen-year-old boy who stole some beer, drove a truck containing with seven passengers while admittedly...

Vicarious Traumatization is a Reality for Forensic Psychiatrists

Photo Courtesy: Wade Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen

We know that those who are victims of horrific crimes and live to share their experiences often suffer from psychological repercussions that can take a lifetime to heal. But what about the men and women who work to capture the perpetrators, whose job it is to get inside of some of the most disturbed individuals in our society? Perhaps not surprisingly, investigators who must confront the realities of such evil also carry emotional trauma. Recentl...

Resolutions for Readers and Writers

The end of the year has come upon us once again. If you are like me you probably are saying to yourself, “Wow, this year went by really fast!” You said this last year as well, of course, but this year you really mean it! While a new year always brings the excited anticipation of not knowing what the next twelve months will bring, we can be fairly sure that 2014 will bring midterm elections, the Winter Olympics and, closer to my world, more criminals with disturbing behavior.

As we prepare to h...

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 (Super glue), and using vari...

Guest Post: Will a Conveniently Placed Item Stop a Bullet by Benjamin Sobieck

Photo: Getty Images

I thought a very interesting and thought-provoking crime article from friend and author Benjamin Sobieck would be a perfect post today — being Thriller Thursday and all. Enjoy!

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Will a Conveniently Placed Item Stop a Bullet?

by Benjamin Sobieck

Many thanks to the wonderfully talented and always gracious Jennifer Chase for once again hosting me here. I’m always humbled to be invited for a guest post on firearms in fiction, especially from an author writing from the lens of cr...

Criminal Psychology and The Grinch

The Grinch. A criminal who tried to destroy a town but instead found rehabilitation and a chance to choose a different life path. With my interest in criminal psychology and Christmas just about a week away, I thought I would have a little fun and take a look at this character. Can we figure out what made him want to commit these acts against his neighbors? Can we peek inside the mind of the Grinch?

Now, the Grinch certainly is not as evil as some of the villains I have crafted for my novels,...

FREE Emily Stone 3-Day Weekend: NEVER FORGOTTEN #mystery #short

NEVER FORGOTTEN is a mystery short story that is available FREE this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at Amazon.

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Vigilante detective Emily Stone has proven her abilities, forensic knowledge, and criminal hunting aptitude in locating serial killers and child abductors. She solves these cases all under the law enforcement radar. Her relentless drive propels her to dedicate her life to this cause.

What was Emily Stone like as a teenager? What changed her life so drastically and set in motion her fa...