Jennifer Chase's Blog, page 69

Discovered Vial of Serial Killer's Blood May Connect More Victims

My area of specific interest may be forensic psychology, but I am fascinated by forensics in all of its applications.  I am regularly amazed by how experts can use a piece of clothing, a strand of hair, or a few drops of blood to build a case.  It was recently reported that forensic evidence stored in Florida may be the key to unlock the connection between one of our country's most infamous serial killers and multiple cold cases.

A vial of Ted Bundy's blood is being entered into the FBI's Combined DNA Index System to discover any connection the convicted killer may have to other murders.  This process started due to the reopening of a cold case involving eight-year-old Ann Marie Burr, who went missing in 1961 and lived in the same neighborhood in which a then-teenage Bundy had a paper route.  Investigators in the shared town of Tacoma, Washington went in search of additional evidence that simply was not able to be analyzed until recently and found the vial of blood.  It is still in a state of composition that will allow for some possible connections to be made.

Most of you will know that Ted Bundy confessed to more than thirty murders of young women throughout the 1970s and was sent to his own death at the electric chair in 1989.  Many in law enforcement always believed that Bundy was responsible for more crimes than he ever admitted.  If that is so, let's hope that this DNA technology will help some families receive peace that has eluded them for decades.

More than thirty years after it was collected, a small amount of blood may be exactly what is needed to solve horrible crimes.  Forensics is simply fascinating and I'm excited every day to be one of its most eager students.

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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

Tennessee Woman Fights Off Home Intruders

My first two novels feature the character Emily Stone, a woman who takes it upon herself to track down violent criminals in her community and quietly collects the evidence that will bring them to justice.  She then leaves all of the surveillance she has gathered with the local police department and slips away anonymously.  She certainly could be considered a vigilante, as she acts outside of the authority of law and puts herself in danger with every pedophile and murderer she follows.  But, she continues on with her work because she believes in the need for justice.

A Tennessee woman recently had her own moment with vigilante justice, but her interaction with the alleged criminals was a bit more direct.  Georgia Avo, a 68-year-old woman who lives in Nashville, heard people trying to break into her home around 2:30am last weekend armed with crowbars and a pistol.  She had her gun ready when the four men broke through the door and buckshot went flying.  She managed to hit two of the intruders, with one of them getting hit in the eye and losing part of his index finger, before all of the men fled.

All four of the men were arrested after showing up at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to get care for the wounded duo.  Three of the men are now sitting in the jail with the four waiting to be charged upon his release from the hospital.

What do you think of this woman's story?  She really felt that it was either her or them in that moment and she may very well have been right.  Can you imagine yourself reacting with the same fierce defense of your home if such a terrifying moment arrived? 

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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

Out & About Magazine — August 2011

It's a new month and Out & About Magazine has hit the stands in the valley and around the Monterey Bay area in California!  You can visit them on the web and view a digital version or download a pdf file.

I have a book review column you can check out on pages 34-35 along with some important crime safety tips.  If you're a thriller fan, check out my review of Worth Dying For by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #15).  You won't want to miss out!

I hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer and getting out to do some fun activities.

Following the Clues of Forensic Anthropology

One of the more interesting aspects of forensic science, at least for me, is the study of forensic anthropology.  It entails the analysis of human skeletal remains that is within the context of a legal investigation. 

During my academic studies, I took forensic anthropology as one of the requirements for my bachelor's degree in police forensics.  I thoroughly enjoyed the class and it made me view skeletal remains in more of a scientific way.  I was surprised how I learned to establish the gender of a skeleton from major bones, such as the femur, cranium, mandible, and pelvis.    

In both of my novels, Compulsion and Dead Game, the heroine Emily Stone unearths human remains in some of her investigations.  In a few different chapters of both books, Emily tracks down the serial killer and the rural burial grounds of the victims.  She uses her ingenuity and experience to carefully unearth part of the graves to discover that there were buried bones of young victims with identifying clothing and personal items.  She backtracks carefully to ensure that the graves were disturbed as little as possible because that's where the police investigation begins along with a forensic anthropologist or coroner.      

Forensic anthropology entails the methods of examination of the various parts of the skeleton, taking exact measurements, and the process of looking at the particular grooves and bumps on the bone.  As this process continues, it can be determined the sex, race, stature, and approximate age of death from the bones.  It has been possible to assess if the remains suffered any traumas (such as with homicide cases) or disease.  These scientific examinations can reveal more pieces to the investigative puzzle with clues to the health of individuals, whether or not they had given birth, left or right handed, and the type of occupation the individual worked. 

There are three important questions that must be answered by a forensic anthropologist to determine the forensic significance of the remains that were discovered.

1.                  Are the remains actually bone?

This is probably the most important question to begin the examination of the remains.  Many times bones can be damaged, crushed, cut, or burned.  Bone fragments can be challenging to identify without the proper use of a microscope.    

2.                  Are the remains human?

This is also important because many times bones can be that of animals.  The biggest challenge is when bones are scattered in a large area.  Many times bones that have been discovered in a rural area is often animal.  When flesh or muscle is still attached, deer vertebrae can look similar to human spines, hind paws of bears can look similar to human feet, and the lower tail vertebrae of a horse can look similar to human finger bones. 

3.                  Are the human remains ancient, historic, or modern bones?

The age of the bones is critical to correctly assess the age.  Ancient refers to the age of approximately 500 years old, historic refers to the age of approximately 100 to 500 years old, and modern is within the last 50 years.  The context of the surface and the actual burial is also important.  Sometimes these areas can expose clothing and other personal items that help the investigation and identification. 

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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 — Novel Inspired

I love photography and I find it actually inspires storylines or specific scenes for a novel.  It's a great way for me to change my perspective of work and to give myself a break.

I went back through some of my photo archives for the past six months and I realized that some of these photos inspire book covers.  They seem to express a mood or feeling for me.  What do you think?

Enjoy your weekend! 

Take some time out today to enjoy all the wonders!

Man Lives with Decomposing Body of Girlfriend

With all of the technological advancements that enter the field of forensics and assist members of law enforcement in bringing criminals to justice, it's hard to imagine anyone will ever develop an instrument that can explain fully the psychology behind some of the violent acts committed around us.  I guess there always will be the question, "How could anyone do that?"

This very question can be asked of Erik Grumpelt, who had been living with the decomposing body of his girlfriend for two months before being arrested earlier this week.  Grumpelt admitted that he hit Malinda Raya several times in the abdomen after she admitted to cheating on him.  He left the apartment for a period of time and returned to find her unresponsive. 

Officers found her body on the bedroom floor, surrounded by air fresheners and carpet cleaner.  Grumpelt had continued to occupy the apartment the entire time, as a corpse remained within the same walls.  They made the discovery after Grumpelt wrote a letter to his dad confessing that he accidentally killed Raya.  He was arrested in Arizona on Monday and faces second-degree murder charges.

It really is a startling investigation into criminal behavior to spend time thinking about how a person can rationalize the presence of a corpse in their home.  Was he simply afraid of reporting the death to the authorities?  Did he not want to admit that his girlfriend was really dead?  Did he not notice the smell or become disturbed by the sight?

I cannot help but be drawn to forensic psychology for its terrifying elements as well as its fascinating qualities.  I continue to strive to learn more about what makes people act in the way they do, and hope that my lifelong studies are evident in the crime novels that I have written and that explore the mind's motivation to violence and murder.   

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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 to Avoid the Mayhem of Redundant Words?

We all have a safety net of our own unique vocabulary.  These are the words that we're comfortable with and they help to define our emotions, thoughts, and desires.  You could say that our comfortable word choices helps to define who we are as a person.  We are creatures of habit.

Words are strong.  Words can hurt, inspire, and incite.  "The pen is mightier than the sword", holds words to an entire new meaning of truth.

I'm working on my third novel in my Emily Stone Series.  There are many emotions flowing through my body.  I'm excited that I'm going to complete book number three.  I'm tired of rereading the same sentence.  I'm exasperated to find another redundant word that I've used a million times in my story that I have to change. 

How did I get so simple with my words?  Is it my safety net of vocabulary words?  Do I really use that adjective so many times when I'm describing something?  Oh my!

Through the grueling process of rewrites, you discover many things about yourself as a person and as a writer.  I found myself using certain words on this novel where I had really dig deep into my psyche to find a more appropriate words.  The thesaurus is fine for most simple words, but I find that it doesn't suffice for that particular adjective or description I need. 

For example, how many times can you use the word "cop"?  Well, you can say officer, police, fuzz, law enforcement personnel, policeman, policewoman, pig (I wouldn't actually use that word), investigator, CSI, forensic tech, and police officer.  Basically, I mix it up in my story.

Some examples of overused words, the use of went, walked, moved, and talked.  There are more appropriate and colorful words, such as slithered, sauntered, traveled, departed, jogged, chatted, gabbed, encouraged, and stirred.  Of course, there are many more words, but you get the idea.

I decided a while back to write down a couple dozen words that I seem to be rather connected to and replace each one with ten to twenty words.  I have a nice redundant word cheat sheet.  I would highly recommend it to anyone writing a long article, novella or full length novel to take the first ten pages and highlight words that are either redundant or don't give a punch.

What are some of your favorite redundant words that need some spicing up?

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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      

Should Some Children be Diagnosed a Psychopath?

Today it seems that we are so careful to be politically correct about some things that need to be addressed from a psychological and clinical point of view.  The thought of a small child or a teenager being diagnosed as a psychopath leaves of us cold and most don't want to even approach the idea.  I absolutely shudder at the thought too. 

But what's worse?  The unpopular, politically incorrect label or allowing a child to wreak havoc and mayhem on everyone around them when it could have been addressed and possibly cured early? 

Isn't it putting off the inevitable?    

The American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV has no category that captures the diagnosis of psychopathic personality in children and adolescents.  It describes these characteristics as "Disruptive Behavioral Disorders" in three overlapping subcategories of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder.  Conduct disorder comes close to being described as psychopathic with traits of egocentricity, lack of empathy, lack of guilt, and lack of remorse. 

When we think of a psychopathic child a few movies come to mind, such as the Bad Seed and The Omen.  However, the reality is very real whether we want to believe it or not. 

How many headlines have we read where a child has killed or raped another child? 

Examples:

A teenage boy in Colorado waits patiently while two young friends hack and hammer his mother to death. 

Kansas City police are baffled by jealous 12-year-old who kills younger sister and mother over birthday party plans. 

Or, girl, 4, kills baby brothers by throwing them to the floor after one of the 3-week-old infants accidentally scratches her during play.  

There's no easy answer how to approach this type of psychopathy in children and what it will mean when they reach adulthood, but I feel that if they are diagnosed with psychopathic tendencies early it won't put off the foreseeable that awaits them later in life. 

Robert D. Hare, PhD states, "Psychopathic attitudes and behavior very likely are the result of the combination of biological factors and environmental forces".

This is a hot topic for debate and the sides are passionately stated.  But, as we see more and more violent actions from children younger and younger, it proves that something needs to be reevaluated in mental health areas.

In my Emily Stone Series, the heroine deals with psychopathic individuals who haven't received any mental evaluation or treatment as children.  The events are fictional, but isn't life stranger and at times more violent than fiction? 

What do you think?  I would love to hear your comments.

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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 

Puppy Dies After Being Left in Hot Car

If you are living in a part of the country that isn't hot right now, then you are in the minority.  We have seen ongoing triple-digit temperatures in Dallas and Memphis and Chicago and New York, just to name a few, and July looks like it will be one of the five hottest in the history of the United States. 

Everyone is being asked to take precautions to protect their health during this dangerous time.  There are regular reminders about leaving children in a hot car, even for a minute, as there are tragic instances of little kids dying every summer while strapped into the backseat of a closed vehicle.  Let's also remember, though, that a broiling car is no place for your pets, either.

Last week in California, a six-month-old puppy was left in a hot car and later died at the veterinary hospital.  The windows in the car had been cracked about two inches and there was no water available for Pomeranian/Shih Tzy mix.  Authorities estimates that the puppy had been in the car at least an hour and a half to two and a half hours.

The dog's owner, TiAndra Davis, has been arrested for felony animal cruelty.  She was taken into custody at the Sacramento County jail on $10,000 bond.

I cannot imagine leaving a precious animal alone in a car to suffer and essentially suffocate to death in such extreme conditions.  All of you who know me or at least read this blog regularly know of my love for dogs.  My heart breaks with this story and I hope it serves as a wake-up call for others who may have found no harm in leaving their pet to wait for just a few minutes in a hot car while they make a quick trip into the store.

I will be anxious to see whether or not the justice system produces a guilty verdict in this case and the type of punishment that gets handed down.

The Skillful Art of Interrogation

As with many things these days, the word "interrogation" has been replaced with "interview".  I like to call it what it is, an interrogation.  Interrogative procedures are used to obtain a confession, admission of guilt, or illicit helpful information from a suspect in regard to an investigation.

In my Emily Stone Series, she rarely uses interrogation techniques.  However, she does use her skills in observation, criminal profiling, and crime scene investigation. 

I have met several police officers throughout my writing career and research and it's amazing to observe how they question suspects as well as witnesses.  Each person has a way of relating to different people to make them feel comfortable or in the "hot" seat.  Let's face it; it's intimidating to be at a police department.  Being around police officers is like any other task for me, but I notice that other people get fidgety and look guilty even when they're not. 

The main purpose of the police interrogation:

 1.                  Establish the innocence of a suspect(s) by clearing up facts that seem to point to guilt.

2.                  Obtain from the suspect(s) (from friends and family) the names of accomplices, facts surrounding the crime, follow up leads and alibi(s), location of physical evidence, or stolen goods.

3.                  Obtain from the suspect(s) an admission or confession.

It's interesting that many people feel compelled to confess to their crime.  Especially when they are confronted with the accusation and the facts. 

The psychological works of Milton W. Horowitz helps to explain this phenomenon with five social-psychological conditions as to why people confess.

1.                  Accusation

The accusation may be explicit and made directly at the start of the interrogation.  It's the attitude and demeanor from the investigator that the suspect feels cornered and there's no other way out.

2.                  Evidence available

It's the realization of the suspect that there is evidence available against them.  When hard evidence is produced, they have been "caught with the goods" and there's no other way out.

3.                  Forces – friendly & hostile

When a suspect is dealing with friendly or hostile factors it causes a psychological uneasiness, which may be conducive to a confession.  The suspect must believe that he/she is alone, cut off, and feel that confessing is the only way out.

4.                  Guilty feelings

Many criminals don't have guilty feelings (especially psychopaths), but some have the need to get a burden off their chest.

5.                  Confession – a way out 

Confessing is a multi-faced action.  People being interrogated are often unaware of their vulnerability and weakness until an authority accuses them.  In combination with evidence, their own guilt, mindful loneliness, and the need for relief of their burden.  Many people will confess as a way out.

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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