Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 68

Psychodynamics of the Criminal's Signature

One of the biggest obstacles law enforcement faces when investigating a violent crime is the mindset and motivations of the criminal act.  This is where the signature of the offender comes into focus and it should be studied carefully.  It's an important aspect of finding out who committed the crime and it's something, I believe, that should be well understood by those who are involved in any type of an investigation. 

An offender signature is the pattern of distinctive type of behavior that is characteristic of satisfying their emotional and psychological needs.  This "need" actually feeds the motivations of the individual.  There are conscious and unconscious processes as well as emotions that determine personality as well as motivation.  These are based on intelligence, experiences, and environment along with previous and learned behaviors. 

There are many things that contribute to every individual's method of behavior.  For example, one person would take money from someone else's wallet if they thought they wouldn't get caught and another person wouldn't have the motivation to do so.

The five main (but not limited to) motivations include:

Profit

Anger & Retaliation

Reassurance & Experimentation

Assertiveness & Entitlement

Sadistic

However, different offenders do similar things during the crime, but for different reasons.  For one offender, there are multiple behaviors, motivations, and influences that contribute to their criminal behavior during a specific type of crime.  For example, they use certain tools, pick certain victims, commit crimes at a specific time, etc. They all have different histories along with different likes and dislikes that help to fuel this criminal process.

It has been theorized that criminal behaviors are the result that the human developmental process has been derailed, and the result is that the individual associates pleasure with violence or other criminal activities.  These types of association, varied over time, contribute to an offender's way of seeking to satisfy their emotional and psychological needs during the commission of crime. 

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

New Mexico Offers Compelling Story of One Man Who Decided to Get Involved

If you saw a young girl get kidnapped right before your very eyes, would you have the mental focus and the courage to get involved?  Or, would there be that moment of shock and absolute terror followed by a feeling of helplessness as the events unfolded before you?  One man in New Mexico did have his bearings about him earlier this week enough to rescue a six-year-old whose fate would have otherwise been one we do not want to consider.

Antonio Diaz Chacon jumped in his car and gave chase to a man who had just shoved the little girl into his van.  He stayed with the van for several miles before its driver, Phillip Garcia, crashed into a light pole.  Garcia then tried to make an escape by foot, but got stuck on mesa, where he remained until police arrived.  Diaz found the girl on the floor of the van and comforted her until law enforcement was able to reunite her with her frantic parents.

In my first two novels, Compulsion and Dead Game, Emily Stone is the central character and she has devoted her life to bringing men like Phillip Garcia to justice.  However, she does her work in the shadows, collecting evidence and then leaving it with police anonymously before moving on to track another violent criminal.  Even though their methods may be somewhat different, I believe she would applaud Diaz's selfless efforts to save a child's life.

Many people are calling for Antonio Diaz Chacon to be recognized in some official way for his brave act.  Unfortunately, it seems that we live in a world in which people are becoming more insulated and feel less responsible for the lives and well-being of their neighbors and Diaz offers a nice exception to that trend.

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

How Much Research is Essential for a Crime Thriller?

I love to conduct research.  This can be a thorn in a writer's side, but I really enjoy this part of the creative process.  Just think about it… you learn something new every time you research.  You can actually learn a new fact today you didn't know yesterday. 

It's quite amazing when you begin to outline the story you want to write, you realize all the little details that you need to research to give your story that added dimension. 

Even though I've studied intensely about forensics and criminology, I still find myself looking up things and asking questions.  And, there are those little details that you need to read more about or ask someone who would know the answer.   

Many people have asked me when the best time to do research for a novel and how much research is necessary.  Well, personally, I don't think you could ever do too much research.  Whatever you don't use on the current project, you can use for something else especially if you're writing the same genre such as thrillers, mysteries, and crime fiction. 

When you've plotted out your basic story, make a list of what you need to research.  I generally do all my research at once, with only minor things that I need to clarify through the writing process.

Here are some helpful guidelines that I use for my own research:

You can never have too much research and information.  Research.  Research.  Research.
Plan your research well in advance or during your outline stage.
Take the extra time and budget to be able to complete research in all the areas of your story.
Use all available resources: Internet, library, bookstores, used bookstores, professionals in specific fields, and read absolutely everything you can.  You can find interesting books about all kinds of information from flea markets, garage sales, and swap meets.
Don't forget about using your camera to help inspire your writing project.  It helps to take photos of specific places or things that will give you great visuals into your research.
For interviews with professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and police officers, etc. make sure you have a complete list of questions.  Spend some time on this before you meet for an appointment so that you're well prepared.
Keep all your research organized in file folders both on computer and paper.  It will make it easier to refer to your notes or use for another project in the future.

Enjoy your research!

I would love to hear about any helpful research tidbits that has worked for you, please feel free to leave a comment.

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Meet a Real Pet Detective!

In my most recent novel, Silent Partner, one aspect of the story revolves around the relationship that exists between a deputy and his canine partner.  There is no doubt that dogs play an essential role in many crime investigations, from determining the location of smuggled goods in an international shipment to bringing an alleged murderer out of the shadows and into a courtroom.  But, when dogs are in need of someone to search for them, who will step up and offer that reciprocal dedication?  In Ohio, that person is Jim Berns. 

Mr. Berns is a woodshop teacher at the University of Cincinnati who also is a professional pet detective.  He employs his knowledge of animal tracking and animal behavior to locate lost animals throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.  His efforts have been featured on the Disney Channel and he claims around a fifty percent success rate in bringing a beloved animal member of the family home, which is a wonderful statistic considering how many pets go missing every year. 

One of only a handful of people trained in this field, Berns and his hounds handle around 150 cases every year.  He begins by putting up signs that he creates across the neighborhood and then setting off across streets, fields, and forests to find the missing animal.  Berns started this second line of work following a request from his daughter, who runs her own pet search and rescue business in California.  They now are able to expand their efforts to reunite pet with owner in quite a few states across the country.

My dogs mean the world to me and I know the feelings of sadness and fear when a beloved pet cannot be found.  I love that there are men out there like Jim Berns who make it a mission in life to end the heartache for so many families. 

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

The Missing Link in Psychopaths

We know that psychopaths lack remorse, empathy, ethics, and a conscience.  They lie with absolute clarity for whatever appeases them and their lifestyle. They are almost like an unscrupulous chameleon showing their mask of normalcy for most of the world to see, but wait for the opportunity to strike out against unsuspecting victims.   

Crime seems to be a logical choice for many of these types of individuals.  I think it's extremely important to study the habits and signatures of psychopaths in relation to crimes being committed.  That means all types of crimes, not just the violent ones.  There is much more to learn about this "subculture" of our society.  If we pay close attention, psychopaths will allow us glimpses into their personality and impulses.

The recidivism rate of psychopaths is approximately double compared to other offenders. 
The violent recidivism rate of psychopaths is approximately triple compared to other offenders.  
Psychopaths are responsible for more than 50% of the serious crimes committed. 
According to the 1992 study by the FBI, 44% of offenders who killed police officers were psychopaths.
Psychopaths are more likely to commit violent crimes both in and out of prison.

It seems for the most part, criminals have some type of code among themselves, but psychopaths don't show any loyalty to groups, codes, or principles.  

How can this type of individual that lacks impulse control that has an egocentric view of the world be successful at committing crimes? 

Many of them commit crimes ranging in a broad spectrum of embezzlement, theft, assault, extortion, armed robbery, murder, and crimes against the state such as espionage, treason, and terrorism.    

Psychopaths have an uncanny readiness to take advantage of any situation.  They have a combination of lack of internal control, namely a conscience, and living for the moment that makes for a perfect formula of crime. 

Why you ask, do I prefer to study and write about such individuals? 

I find it fascinating that a group of people can cause so much distress among all levels of society.  I believe that there's more to learn and that we've just scratched the surface into their motivations and impulsive nature.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of psychopaths for study.   

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Photography Sunday — Inspirations

One of the most common questions that writers get asked is where do we get our inspiration.  For me, I find writing inspiration from everything around me and not just the obvious.

My last trip to Kauai (photo above) was so inspirational that my newest novel I'm working on right now (Dark Mind) is set on the island. 

Sometimes it's the most innocent and simple thing that makes for writing inspiration. 

Driving by an agricultural field at sunset…

A lone bird on the beach…

A quiet bridge… who has walked across, how many times, and what were they thinking?

Everything inspires and stokes the creative mind.  They are small pieces to a much bigger puzzle. 

Hope your weekend is inspiring!

The Real Story Behind the Novel…

It's interesting how we can see things more clearly when we look back at events, how it shapes the present and even the future.  Here's the real story behind my recent thriller novel Silent Partner. 

Sometime during 2002, I had an idea for a screenplay.  Yep, a full-length feature screenplay and not a novel.  I wanted to write a story about a K9 cop, but not just any cop story.  I wanted to show what it was like to be a K9 cop and to have a four-legged partner, the job and the reality.   

But I didn't stop there…

I created a cat and mouse storyline filled with action, thrills, and of course serial killers.  So now I've creative a storyline with a K9 cop and serial killers.

Did that about cover it?  Not quite.

I kept thinking that I wanted the main police dog to the hero Deputy Jack Davis to be a Labrador retriever and not just a scent detection dog, but also a police protection dog.  I know what you're thinking… an easy going Labrador as a hard biting police dog.  Yeah right.  Yawn… Police dogs are typically a German shepherd, Rottweiler or Belgian Malinois.

When I was researching this storyline, there was a black Labrador retriever (patrol dog) in Los Angeles at the time.  He even had his photo taken in the paper.  I knew that my idea wasn't ridiculous.  I kept digging and thinking.

I'm not telling the entire story.  At the time, I also had a very driven young Labrador named Trucker.  You see he wasn't your ordinary family Lab.  It's not that he wasn't friendly or loved people, and he was also known to love kittens and puppies too.

I had the incredible opportunity to train with the local police canine group.  It was a fantastic experience because we trained in scent work and became certified, but I was also able to see first hand what it was like for the police officers too.  This first hand research was priceless for my story. 

I completed the screenplay, shopped it, got a few nibbles from a production company in Los Angeles and Canada, but it eventually everything went quiet.  The script sat in a filing cabinet in my office gathering dust.   

At the beginning of last year, I decided that I wanted to adapt the screenplay into a novel.  I know… that sounds backwards and maybe it was but I went ahead and did it anyway.  It felt right and it gave me a break from my Emily Stone Series.  I wanted to write this story.

In the middle of writing Silent Partner, my best buddy and Labrador companion who was based in the novel got cancer.  He wasn't just my dog or pet, but he was my protector, buddy and he would listen for hours when I'd final proof my books by reading aloud.  Within three terrible days, he got sick, the cancer spread, and I had to say goodbye.  It hit me hard – really hard.  It's always difficult to say goodbye to any pet, but Trucker was one of the truly special ones.  

I was going to put the book aside and work on another project, but I decided that I wanted to push on and complete the story.  It was difficult, but I felt better once I completed it. 

Then…

I was struck with another blow earlier this year in April; a business professional (marketing manager) went haywire (that's a nice way of describing it) and deleted my blog of two years along with my Facebook and Twitter accounts.  This person did it out of hateful spite.  How sad for people like this… It left me scrambling to build up my blog and social network accounts. 

In the meantime, I had entered Silent Partner into a book contest at Readers Favorite.  I almost didn't enter because everything was out of control and I had other things on my mind.

To make a LONG story short… thanks for reading this far.

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Earlier this week, I found out that Silent Partner was chosen as a finalist in not one but in two categories (suspense & thriller) at the 2011 Readers Favorite Awards.  The winners will be announced on September 1st.  I'm absolutely thrilled!  I can't help but think about all of those decisions I made that could have gone one way or another and hardships I encountered to get to the contest finals. 

It's true if you wait out the bad times, something good is just around the corner.  The moral to this story?  Hang in there even when things seem bad or not going your way!

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

FBI Launches New Phone App to Help Find Missing Kids

Are you the type of person who always has the latest apps downloaded to your smart phone?  Or, do you consider yourself someone who doesn't see the excitement in using your cell phone to do anything besides make a call?  Either way, if you are a parent of a small child you might be interested in this new offering from the FBI.

The "Child ID" phone application, which currently is available only for iPhones, allows you to download photos and essential physical information about your child that can be shared with mall security, police officers, the FBI, or any other members of law enforcement who may be able to help you in the moment that you child goes missing.

For anyone who has ever gone just a few seconds without knowing where their child was, you know the sense of panic that can set in.  Simply being asked to give your child's hair color can seem overwhelming when your head is spinning with the possibilities of what has happened to him or her.  If you can remember that all of that information is stored on your phone, a quick push of a few buttons can have critical details out where they need to be.

This application is free and the FBI plans to expand the service to other platforms in the future.  Many applaud this move as a great way to keep our kids safer.  There are some, though, who believe it instills an unnecessary state of fear in parents.  Writer Lenore Skenazy says that in a country in which only 115 children are abducted by strangers every year, this app can make parents think that child snatching is happening every second of the day.

What do you think?  Is this a safety tool you will be purchasing for your phone and family?  

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

What Do Crime Scenes Tell Us?

Understanding and interpreting a crime scene is much like a three-dimensional puzzle, generally with more questions than answers.  However, the exigent circumstances are that the investigator needs to come up with some answers immediately and hopefully the name and whereabouts of the perpetrator.  This is most crucial during a homicide investigation when there's a killer on the loose.

Basically, the crime scene in the preliminary investigative stage is divided into four categories: evidence, witness(es), suspect(s), and crime theory.  After the carefully orchestrated crime scene investigation is completed, the investigator or forensic examiner must begin the task of putting the pieces together in order to tell the story of what happened and why.

Discussion should be open to and remedied in regard to the observer effects and forensic examiner bias when it comes to interpreting crime scene evidence. 

An observer effect is basically when the results of evidence at a crime scene are distorted due to the mental state of the examiner.  This can happen when a particular examiner is influenced by expectation and desires.  This can have an effect on the law enforcement and prosecution objectives to the investigation.

Evidence is interpreted based on the experience of the examiner.  This is can be a potential problem.  Forensic examiners must confront ambiguity and subjectivity of the evidence.  It sounds simple enough, but can prove to be a challenge for anyone. 

There have been some great recommendations to curb the observer effects when interpreting crime scene evidence.  It's basically a checks and balances approach.  First, being aware of the potential for bias.  It's also important to filter the irrelevant information, such as the victim and witness's statements and backgrounds, investigative and attorney theories, results of the forensic examination, and the type of offense that was committed.  Another helpful tactic would be to restructure the crime lab to have different personnel perform the various duties of response, assistance, evidence examination, and crime scene reconstruction.

Undoubtedly, working any crime scene is demanding, challenging, and difficult.  There are so many things that incorporate into this working condition.  I respect all those hard working individuals who take this challenge every day. 

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Change the Perspective of Your Characters

When I began developing my characters for my Emily Stone Series, I found it quite helpful to outline the main characters from various perspectives.  Sometimes with recurring characters, a scene might become flat and you're not sure why.  When you look at a specific character from another character's perspective or a different point of view, sometimes an amazing epiphany takes place.

Some helpful writing exercises to change the perspective of a scene or character:

Write from first person or even the present tense.
Write from another character's point of view and in a completely different setting.
Write from a reporter's point of view or reader's point of view.
Write from an animal's point of view.
Write as if the character only has a moment to live.

It helps me to build characters with more depth and to answer various questions about their personalities instead of just a list of traits, likes, dislikes, and internal/external conflicts.

How would a certain character handle a situation or if the roles were reversed?

This idea came to light when I was visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo in California on a trip.  This wonderful, small zoo located in the heart of Santa Barbara has always been an enjoyable visit for me.  This beautiful 30-acre, 500 animal zoo is one of my favorite attractions and I always try to make the time to have a casual lunch there and then walk around the park.  It makes for a nice leisurely couple of hours and I highly recommend it if you get a chance to visit.

One particular exhibit made an impression on me and I actually changed the way I develop my characters as a result.  As I walked down to the gorilla exhibit, I made my way to the observation room that has a plexiglass wall to allow visitors to view the gorilla habitat. 

There were about two-dozen people crowded in the room craning their heads to view the gorillas.  I stood in the back and I could see a couple of gorillas that were trying to go about their day eating and staying a bit hidden from view, ignoring all of the human faces pressed up against the glass that were waving and giggling.

It suddenly struck me. 

What must it be like to be scrutinized through this window?  What's their perspective of us?  How would we feel if their roles were reversed?      

Finally, everyone filtered out of the observation room and I was alone to view one of the magnificent creatures.  I moved toward the glass and I instantly felt an awe that I was able to be close to these animals that should have been in deepest jungles instead of on a stage just for human entertainment. 

This particular gorilla moved toward the glass with a banana.  He actually walked right up to the glass and shyly looked at me and then continued with his afternoon treat.  It was an incredible experience for me.  I was able to snap a quick photo without a flash or zoom to document my new writing discovery.

You could say that incident was one of my light bulb moments in writing.  From that point, I decided to outline my characters from all different perspectives and conditions to help to develop them further in my stories. 

I strongly feel that by changing the perspective of characters during the creative process you can delve deeper into their psychology and ultimately give them more depth in the story and for readers to enjoy.

How would you change your character's perspectives?

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/

Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/

Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/

Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting