Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 54

Crime Scenes Tell a Story

There’s a story behind everything we see, hear, and behind every person we meet. Our perceptions and experiences can overshadow obstacles that we are faced with in the future. Working a crime scene is one of the most difficult tasks that a person can undertake. It takes an objective and experienced person to read and process all the clues found at a crime scene.

Understanding and interpreting a crime scene is much like a three-dimensional puzzle, generally with more questions than answers. How...

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Carolyn Arnold

I welcome Thriller Author Carolyn Arnold today! I LOVE Thriller Thursday! I’m very excited to showcase Arnold’s work and I highly recommend checking out her books with one kick-ass heroine. How could I not love these books?

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Book Synopsis:

Detective Madison Knight concluded the case of a strangled woman an isolated incident. But when another woman’s body is found in a park killed by the same line of neckties, she realizes they’re dealing with something more serious.

Despite mounting pressur...

Eyewitness Sketches Can Vary Widely

Have you ever wondered about the accuracy of an eyewitness sketch? Someone who has never seen the perpetrator sits down with a piece of charcoal and says, “OK, tell me what he looked like.” Not only are you dealing with the artist’s interpretation of a description, but when you bring in multiple witnesses who each may have seen things differently, the idea that the criminal is going to come face-to-face with one of these sketches and think he is looking in a mirror is unlikely.

Of course, that...

Face of a Future Veterinarian or Crime Fiction Author?

It’s hard to believe that I was two-years-old once – and yes, the photo posted above is indeed me with my first dog, just waiting for the fascinating world to unfold in front of me. The possibilities seemed endless.

I have to laugh because even as I write this post I seem to mimic my earlier, wee self with that serious expression, bare feet (always barefoot when I’m writing), and my large Lab napping next to me. Some things never change…

Believe it or not, I didn’t like to play with dolls; rath...

Impression Evidence Takes a Front Row Seat at Crime Scenes

“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, Sherlock Holmes from A Study in Scarlet written in 1881.

How important is impression evidence?

The short answer: It is extremely important to any crime scene investigation.

I find the various types of impression evidence to be a fascinating study. This is the one area, with exception to the study of the psychological aspect of a...

Homeless Man Admits to Murder from More Than Two Decades Later

Sometimes police catch a lead early in a criminal investigation and the perpetrator is behind bars within hours. In other instances, detectives can comb through clues and re-interview witnesses multiple times over years or decades before that amazing moment when all of the pieces finally come together. It’s rare, though, that a cold case is solved by the offender simply walking up to an officer and admitting his deed. This is what happened last week in Montana.

A homeless man residing in Billi...

Psychological Impact of the “Broken Windows” Theory

My academic background has helped me to explore and understand some of the complicated aspects of the criminal justice system when addressing crime, criminals, profiling, and crime scene investigation. This is one of main reasons that I chose this field because of its diversity and challenges.

There are so many facets to crime and that is the main reason why there isn’t just one easy answer to solve the growing problem. Experts, academics, law enforcement personnel, and politicians all seem to...

Photography Sunday — Spring Mixed Bag

I love springtime and I look for any opportunity to grab my camera and head outdoors. Here are a few photographs from a recent nature excursion.

I get some of my best story ideas when I’m on a nature walk. Settings… the type of people who enjoy nature… crime activities… and I think to myself, “What if?” as it pertains to crime thrillers.

The rest I’ll leave up to your imaginations…

Celebrating Earth Day!

What outdoor settings inspire you?

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Author Blog: http://authorjenniferchase.com/
Crime Watc...

Murder of Teenager in Oregon Shows How Experts Can Crack a Case after a Decade

Of course I am a sucker for any television program that examines the criminal mind, especially when it’s a documentary that allows me to delve into the psychology surrounding the decision to engage in violent activity. While I never forget that I am watching the story of a real victim who left behind grieving family and friends, and that fact is of primary importance, what we have to learn from killers and their acts is fascinating and critical as well.

I just happened upon a 20/20 episode tha...

Would You Trust a Psychopath?

I 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 activities.

I thought this was an interesting concept to ponder.

The article was based on the working theory that there is a difference between psychopathic individuals who exhibit these types of behaviors and end up in psychiatric facilities or prison and those who seem to evade...