Road to Southern Paradise

 

The world is in turmoil. War, politics, soaring gas and food prices, and devastating weather continue to consume the headlines and our minds. So I invite you to take a moment to relax. Daydream a bit. Visit places where the only hustle-bustle you’ll see are the thousands of fiddler crabs darting across the marsh mud. Or go to the beach and watch the pelicans glide gracefully overhead. Listen to the waves hit the sand, leaving behind sizzling sea foam and the occasional piece of odd-shaped driftwood.

But where can you go to see both the marsh and the beach? Well, hop in the car. Let’s take a drive out to Tybee Island, Ga. It’s one of the closest places to paradise this side of…well, paradise.

 

 

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Officer J. Christopher Kilcullen

Eugene Oregon Police Department

April 22, 2011 – After a high-speed pursuit, Officer Kilcullen was shot and killed by the female driver as he approached her car. The woman originally fled because Officer Kilcullen had attempted to stop her for running a red light. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Deputy Sheriff Clifton Taylor, 31

Johnson County Texas Sheriff’s Office

April 23, 2011 – Deputy Clifton Taylor was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, police began a search of the property, attempting to locate the male suspect. Deputy Taylor was shot when he opened the door to a storage shed. He is survived by his fiancee, parents, and siblings.

Officer Daryl Hall, 34

St. Louis Missouri Police Department

April 24, 2011 – Officer Daryl Hall was shot three times during an exchange of gunfire with two men outside a nightclub. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. One of the suspects also died from gunshot wounds.

 

Morgue: Pictures

 

Jodi found the body lying beside the path, her favorite jogging trail. She stopped for a closer look, thinking that maybe her mind was up to its usual nighttime tricks—another boogeyman or zombie that turned out to be a bush, or a trash bag filled with leaves left by the park’s “mow, blow, and go” guys. After all, there was no moon, and the closest streetlight was awfully far away. And the shadows, well, they were long, and pretty dark. But this bush had…yes, those are arms and legs and…a head! It was a man. A dead man. Blood. There was so much of it. A knife on the ground. Don’t touch it. Run! Run and then call 911. Yes, 911.

She stood there talking to the detective, but her mind was now focusing on the coroner and his investigators as they loaded the body into the back of the van, shoving it inside as if it were no more than a roll of new carpet. They closed the rear doors, and the one who looked like a stump with arms and legs climbed into the driver’s seat. The brake lights flashed for a second, painting the pavement behind the van a faint red. Then it was gone, leaving a trail of wispy steam in its wake. She wondered what would happen next. I mean, what do they do with murder victims? Where do they take the bodies?

*Warning. Images below are graphic and may not be suitable for some readers and/or children. Please exit if images of death upset or offend you. We’ve posted this this particular piece solely to assist writers with their research.

The body is weighed, sometimes by rolling the gurney onto a set of digital floor scales.

Bodies are placed inside a cold room, or cooler until autopsy.

The body is brought into the autopsy room.

The gurney carrying the body is positioned in front of a station such as this one.

Side view of same station.

Scales for weighing organs.

A pathologist’s tool kit.

Bone saw.

Suturing the rear scalp after examining the brain.

The “Y” incision is closed post autopsy, and the body is released to a funeral home. (Top left is the neck, presenting a ligature mark. Bottom left of photo is the victim’s right, upper chest area).

 

 

 

 

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Baa Baa Black Sheep

Body armor is a life-saver. No doubt about it. But let’s face it, many cops complain about having to wear it. It’s uncomfortable. It’s bulky. It’s confining. And it’s HOT! Imagine wrapping a few layers of thick, dense clay around your body while sitting in the hot sunshine for several hours. That’s sort of what it’s like to wear a vest, especially for a newcomer. Sure, you get used to it after a while, but getting used to wearing a vest doesn’t make it any cooler inside those little Kevlar ovens. I know, I know. It’s worth a little discomfort in order to be safe and go home at night. But that doesn’t stop the bellyaching.

Another problem with body armor is that the material deteriorates and becomes less effective when exposed to water. Kevlar, for example, has been found to be approximately 20% less effective when wet. Actually, it’s recommended that body armor be replaced after five years of use due to constant exposure to moisture – sweat and humidity. But with the lack of even the day-to-day funds to operate police departments, replacing every $600 – $800 vest at the five year mark just isn’t going to happen. In fact, most departments NEVER replace their vests. And I’m willing to bet that there are still some police officers out there who’ve never worn one as part of their regular uniform.

So what’s being done to help with the heat, the moisture, the costs, and the comfort? One word…Sheep. After all, those walking army blankets don’t seem to mind water, so what if…

That’s right, researchers from RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles have discovered that by blending 20-25% wool with 70-75% Kevlar, the material actually works even better when it’s wet. And it’s cheaper to make than a vest made of all Kevlar (Kevlar cost about $70 per kilogram compared to $12 for wool). And, by replacing a portion of the Kevlar with wool, the vest also weighs less.

So help is on the way, folks. And not just for the little boy who lives down the lane…

 

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And, just an FYI. Here’s an image of a bullet fired by the Taliban that struck a soldier’s body armor.

And this is the result of that same bullet being deflected by the soldier’s body armor.  The soldier was knocked to the ground by the hit, but he’s alive.

Bluffton, S.C.: Where Lonely Is A Good Thing

 

The combined scents of marsh mud and tangy, raw oysters. A screeching gull. Wind rushing through the palms. Waves lapping at the sandy shoreline. Buoys undulating in the changing currents. Tiny crabs, thousands of them, scurrying over the earth in unison, like an ever-moving tide. It’s where the quiet is loud. Where time is not important. And life, well, life is good. This is Bluffton.

 

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Want to see and use real-life CSI tools and equipment? Curious about fingerprinting? Serial killers? Want to shoot guns? Drive a police car? See the inside of a real jail? How about riding with a real deputy on patrol? Does that sound exciting? Then you’ll certainly want to attend the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy.

You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy this fantastic event! It’s open to all.

And there’s fun for everyone from age 16 to 100!

Have you reserved your spot for the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy?

Ride-a-longs with sheriff’s deputies, jail tours, firearms and driver training are only a part of the fun!

Train with the pros.

Sign up now at:

http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Space is limited!

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Deputy Sheriff Sherri Jones, 54

Bowie County Texas Sheriff’s Department

April 18, 2011 – Deputy Sherri Jones was shot and killed by a prisoner as she prepared to take him from court to a state corrections facility. The suspect, upset over his court hearing, began arguing with the deputy in the courthouse basement. Then he became combative, took her weapon, and shot her once in the head. She had served part time with the sheriff’s office for six years.

Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata, 35

Kalamazoo Michigan Department of Public Safety

April 18, 2011 – Officer Eric Zapata responded to reports of a shots fired call where the suspect had already exchanged gunfire with a police officer. Officer Zapata confronted the fleeing suspect in an alley. More gunfire was exchanged and Officer Zapata was shot in the head and chest.

 

10 most pampered celebrity prisoners

Celebrities commit the same crimes as regular people, but when they get punished for their wrongdoings it usually includes a gentler sentencing and a sugar-coated jail experience. Whether it’s because of their fame or bribery skills, celebrities can, and often do, live the good life even behind bars. Here are the 10 most pampered celebrity prisoners:

1. Paris Hilton: Hotel heiress Paris Hilton was thrown in the slammer for violating her probation from a 2006 DUI arrest. On June 5, 2007, Paris checked herself into the Century Regional Detention Facility. Two days later, the LA County Sheriff reassigned her to 40 days of home confinement and electronic monitoring because of an unspecified medical condition. But Hilton was sent back to jail to serve her original sentence of 45 days. Hilton’s mysterious medical condition landed her in solitary confinement in the medical wing. Paris received regular visits from her lawyer and psychiatrist while in jail, and reportedly never had a routine cavity search that other prisoners go through.

2. Lindsay Lohan: In July 2010, Hollywood bad girl Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating her terms of probation. Lohan was also ordered to check into an inpatient rehab program after her release from jail. Not only did Lohan get off easy with a short 14-day stay because of prison overcrowding, but she also received preferential treatment behind bars. She continued to receive her usual prescription medications in jail and got to have visitors after official visiting hours. Lohan was also allowed to order food from a special store and could have specific items delivered to the jail that weren’t readily available.

3. Lil Wayne: In 2010, rapper Lil Wayne was sentenced to one year in prison for his 2007 gun charges. Lil Wayne’s pampering began before he ever stepped foot in prison. His sentencing was pushed back a month because of a dental surgery. Once admitted to Rikers Island, he was placed in a high-class area to keep him separated from the rest of the prisoners. He had his own cell with a window facing outside. Lil Wayne cooked, watched television, became an Uno champion, and described his 8 months behind bars as “not that difficult.”

4. O.J. Simpson: O.J. Simpson may have gotten away with murder, but he’d paid the price for his 2007 robbery that sent him to the slammer. Simpson is currently serving his 33-year sentence at Nevada’s Lovelock Correctional Center. The former football star gets to enjoy watching television in his cell, but has complained about not having HBO. Simpson also plays checkers and cards with his fellow convicts, and gives prison food two thumbs up. Looks like Simpson may be right at home there

5. Martha Stewart: In 2004, domestic diva Martha Stewart served five months at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson in West Virginia, for conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements to federal investigators. Stewart stayed busy in prison by scrubbing floors and raking leaves. She exercised by walking around the prison grounds and attended nightly yoga classes. Martha didn’t even fall behind on her gardening or craft projects because she was always picking flowers, crocheting, painting ceramics and making Christmas decorations.

6. Foxy Brown: Female rapper Foxy Brown was pampered like a princess during her time at Rikers Island. Brown served nine months for violating her parole after she assaulted two nail-salon manicurists in 2006. While in jail, she was allowed to wear Gucci sneakers, a Fendi scarf and apply makeup. The rap diva had unlimited TV and phone use and had meals delivered to her cell by prison guards. They even helped her set up an interview and photo shoot for a magazine that promoted her new album.

7. Joe Francis: In April 2007, Joe Francis, founder of the Girls Gone Wild video empire, was sentenced to 35 days in jail for contempt charges. Francis was admitted to a Panama City, Florida jail, where he was accused of bribery, possession of a controlled substance and introducing contraband into the jail. He allegedly offered a guard $500 for bottled water and had prescription medications in his jail cell. Francis was allowed to keep the medications because they were deemed necessary to his health. According to the sex video mogul, he was “treated like a rock star, a total her” by his fellow inmates.

8. Plaxico Burress: Former Giants star Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison for criminal weapons charges and a single count of reckless endangerment after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh with his own gun at a New York nightclub. Burress checked in at Rikers Island to unpleasant taunts and yells from prisoners, but this football star still got the royal treatment behind bars. Burress was immediately separated from the regular inmate population and given his very own cell. As predicted, Burress’ good behavior will get him an early release from prison on June 6, 2011.

9. Alexis Neiers: Alexis Neiers, the star of the television show, Pretty Wild, went pretty wild when she participated in the celebrity “bling ring” robberies and got caught. Neiers was arrested and sentenced to 180 days behind bars at the Century Regional Detention Facility. The 19-year-old managed to escape some of the standard treatment and procedures prisoners typically go through, such as the ever humiliating cavity search. She also only served 30 days of her sentence, and for the last five days, she was held in a cell next to Lindsay Lohan.

10. T.I.: On Nov. 1, 2010, rapper T.I. was sentenced to 11 months in federal prison for drug possession charges that violated his terms of probation. The bad boy rapper was admitted to an Arkansas prison where he received some preferential treatment, especially when his wife came to visit. The couple was caught canoodling in a private visiting room outside of the guards’ sight. T.I. has also had the privilege of using prison phones and email liberally.

*Today’s article courtesy of our friends at http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/

*     *     *

Want to see and use real-life CSI tools and equipment? Curious about fingerprinting? Serial killers? Want to shoot guns? Drive a police car? See the inside of a real jail? How about riding with a real deputy on patrol? Does that sound exciting? Then you’ll certainly want to attend the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy.

You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy this fantastic event! It’s open to all.

And there’s fun for everyone from age 16 to 100!

Have you reserved your spot for the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy?

Ride-a-longs with sheriff’s deputies, jail tours, firearms and driver training are only a part of the fun!

Train with the pros.

Sign up now at:

http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Space is limited!

Dusting for prints

Are the days of camel hair and nylon brushes, fingerprint powder, and iodine fuming nearing extinction? Well, Chinese scientists Su Chen, Shengyang Yang, and Cai-Feng Wang certainly think so. In fact, they’ve developed a remarkable new technique for developing fingerprints. And the process is extremely quick and doesn’t destroy the prints during developing. Just how fast can prints be developed using the new technique? Well, believe it or not, latent prints become visible within 30 seconds.

Chen, Yang, and Wang, all from China’s Nanjing University of Technology, found that by electrospinning nanosized fibers from a polyurethane resin and the dye fluorescein, they could create a mat that could rapidly detect latent fingerprints on surfaces including glass, plastics, and wood.

To locate hidden prints, all a technician needs to do is simply press the mat against a surface. Then, when exposed to the chemical components in sweat left behind in fingerprints, the fluorescein in the mat reacts, coming out (changing from the mat’s yellowish color to a brilliant red) as a powdery solid in a perfect likeness of the print. Hot air is used to speed up the process.

The 12x50cm mats are not reusable once exposed to a fingerprint, but can be divided into sections for multiple uses.

Interestingly, the mat is capable of detecting more than just fingerprints. The dragon image in the image above was made by an ink jet printer using water (water causes the same reaction as the sweat components) instead of ink. The mat was placed over the image and the result was what you see in the photo.

So, 30 second fingerprints and 1 hour DNA are soon to be the latest additions in a detective’s toolbox. I think we just might see overtime pay joining fingerprint brushes and ninhydrin on the endangered species list. Maybe we’re not too far from seeing an instant crook-catching machine. So, with all the new changes in crime-solving, what will cops do with all their spare time? Hey, maybe they’ll take up writing.

Spare time? Fuhgedaboutit!

*     *     *

Want to see and use real-life CSI tools and equipment? Curious about fingerprinting? Serial killers? Want to shoot guns? Drive a police car? See the inside of a real jail? How about riding with a real deputy on patrol? Does that sound exciting? Then you’ll certainly want to attend the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy.

Have you reserved your spot for the 2011 Writers’ Police Academy?

Ride-a-longs with sheriff’s deputies, jail tours, firearms and driver training are only a part of the fun!

Train with the pros.

Sign up now at:

http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Space is limited!

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Senior Officer Specialist Christopher Cooper, 38

Federal Bureau of Prisons

April 7, 2011 – Senior Officer Christopher Cooper, a member of the Special Operations Response Team at USP Leavenworth, suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a training exercise. He is is survived by his wife and two children.

Correctional Officer Ronald E. Johnson, 63

South Dakota Department of Corrections

April 12, 2011 – Officer Ronald Johnson was attacked and beaten to death by two pipe-wielding inmates who were attempting to escape custody. He was killed on his 63rd birthday. Officer Johnson is survived by his wife, two children, and six grandchildren.

Patrolman Jonathan Schmidt, 30

Trumann Arkansas Police Department

April 12, 2011 – Patrolman Jonathan Schmidt was shot and killed during a traffic stop for operating a vehicle with no insurance. As Patrolman Smith was opening a rear passenger door to remove a passenger, the man opened fire on the officer. Schmidt was struck in the neck then turned to push his sergeant to safety. He then returned fire, wounding the suspect.

Patrolman Schmidt was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. He is survived by his wife and three children.