The Writers’ Police Academy’s Special Guest Speaker Is…

Kathy Reichs

 

KATHY REICHS!

Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead catapulted her to fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Her other Temperance Brennan novels include Death du Jour, Deadly Décisions, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning, Cross Bones, Break No Bones, Bones to Ashes, Devil Bones, 206 Bones, Spider Bones, Flash and Bones, and Bones Are Forever, in addition to Virals and Seizure, two young adult fiction novels following the adventures of Temperance Brennan’s niece. Dr. Reichs is also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.

From teaching FBI agents how to detect and recover human remains, to separating and identifying commingled body parts in her Montreal lab, as a forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs has brought her own dramatic work experience to her mesmerizing forensic thrillers. For years she consulted to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, and continues to do so for the Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Québec. Dr. Reichs has travelled to Rwanda to testify at the UN Tribunal on Genocide, and helped exhume a mass grave in Guatemala. As part of her work at JPAC (Formerly CILHI) she aided in the identification of war dead from World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Dr. Reichs also assisted with identifying remains found at ground zero of the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Dr. Reichs is one of only eighty-two forensic anthropologists ever certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. She served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, and is currently a member of the National Police Services Advisory Council in Canada. She is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

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We are extremely excited about our 2013 lineup of superstar speakers and experts, including keynote speaker Lisa Gardner, and special guests Dr. Kathy Reichs, and Dr. Dan Krane. Each year we shoot for the moon, hoping to bring you the best talent available, and doggone it, we deliver.

We’re also excited about the top-of-the-line team of expert instructors we have on board for the 2013 Writers’ Police Academy. We have lots of new workshops and hands-on sessions in store for you this year. And, as always, the action is nonstop…and FUN!

Registration is scheduled to open in February (updates to the WPA website are in progress). Please keep in mind that space for the WPA is extremely limited, so register early!

*The winner of the “Name The Speaker” contest is Elizabeth Bryant, for being the first person to correctly guess Kathy Reichs. Congratulations, Elizabeth. Your prize, a free driving simulator session, will be waiting for you at the WPA!

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DNA and…Knobby Knees!

DNA and...Knobby Knees

Due to the discovery of new and advanced technology, changes in the way crimes are solved occur almost daily. And it’s imperative that investigators keep up with the rapidly evolving tools and methodologies. However, sometimes those advancements come so quickly that police and forensics officials barely have time to learn one technique before it’s replaced by something new. Here are a few examples of the rapidly changing world of forensics in January 2013.

1. A home invasion in Ohio resulted in one of the suspects being bitten by the family’s pit bull. The fleeing suspect then shot and killed the dog before making his escape. In years past, the thug might have gotten away with his crime, however, quick-thinking detectives swabbed the inside of the deceased dog’s mouth, had the lab run a DNA test on the sample, and presto…they got a hit on the suspect whose DNA just happened to be in the database.

2. Ima Getaway is a blue-eyed, blond thug who loves breaking into homes while the residents are away. And he’s a regular Houdini when it comes to making his escape. In the past, authorities hadn’t located a single clue at any of Getaway’s crime scenes, not even a partial fingerprint, or fiber. Recently, however, detectives discovered a cigarette butt in the bushes beside a home where a burglary occurred. But, as luck would have it, there wasn’t enough DNA on the butt to get any sort of hit.

However, thanks to a new DNA-based discovery by scientist Manfred Kayser of Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, they were able to narrow their list of possible suspects to only people with blue eyes. You see, Kayser’s new test, IriPlex, examines single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are linked to what, you ask…yep, eye color. And the test provides enough accuracy that police will soon be able to zero in on suspects due to the color of their eyes, even from a faint trace of DNA left on behind on a discarded cigarette butt. By the way, this test can also detect hair color, ancestry, and gender, with surprising accuracy.

3. Computer scientist Lior Shamir of Lawrence Technological Univ. in Southfield, Mich. has devised a way of using an MRI-based scan of the knees to identify individual people. That’s right, like fingerprints and DNA, our knobby knees are uniquely ours. Therefore, when used in conjunction with other identifiers, such as passports and iris scans, bad guys will have a much more difficult time when attempting to slip through airports and other secure areas.

4. Thanks to new software called Image, along with a DICOM displayer called K-Pacs, scientists are now able to determine the age and sex of a corpse, and the test, so far, has proven to be 95% accurate.

5. A new chemical process developed by researchers at North Carolina State, enables scientists to successfully prove that two fibers share dyes and impurities, or not. In other words, they can positively match fibers (dyes and other compositions) found at a crime scene to their source, such as a particular carpet, blouse, etc.

Well, there you have it, a few of the new crime-fighting tools that are available to your protagonists, or to your fictional crime labs. And, speaking of laboratories and crime-fighting, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Dan Krane, one of the special guest speakers for the 2013 Writers’ Police Academy (I won’t make you guess this one!).

Dr. Krane is a world renowned DNA expert who’s often called upon to testify in criminal cases around the world.

Dr. Dan Krane

Dan E. Krane is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where he has been a faculty member since 1993 and currently serves as the President of the University Faculty. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree for a double major in Biology and Chemistry from John Carroll University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Cell and Molecular Biology Department at the Pennsylvania State University in 1990. He has also done post-doctoral studies in the Genetics Department of the Washington University’s Medical School and in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.

He has published over forty peer-reviewed papers in the areas of population genetics and molecular evolution and is the lead author of the best selling undergraduate textbook in the field of bioinformatics (“Fundamental Concepts in Bioinformatics”). His research group has developed techniques that allow quick and precise measurement of the amount of genetic diversity that populations harbor at the molecular level. Many of his publications are directly related to forensic DNA testing, particularly in the areas of using DNA profiles to generate investigative leads (i.e. familial searching) and increasing the objectivity and sensitivity of current DNA typing methodologies. He has testified in more than 100 criminal cases (in more than 20 different States as well as in Australia, Belfast and Oxford Crown Court, and the Central Criminal Court in London) since 1991 as an expert for both the prosecution and defense in the areas of population genetics, molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Krane is also the president and a co-founder of Forensic Bioinformatic Services, Inc (www.bioforensics.com) where he has overseen the development and implementation of software designed to automatically and objectively review STR DNA testing results. Two different governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia have appointed him to Virginia’s Scientific Advisory Committee – a blue-ribbon panel of 12 experts that oversees the policies and practices of Virginia’s full-service Department of Forensic Science. In that capacity he has chaired the Virginia’s subcommittees on familial searching and Y-STR validation and testing protocols.

*     *     *

Now for clue #2 in the “Name The Special Guest Speaker” contest.

2. Loggerhead Island, on a stone ledge, twenty feet above the Atlantic Ocean. That’s where this author’s latest book begins.

*To refresh your memory, here’s clue number one again:

Clue 1#. I’ve vowed to keep this name to myself, so, unless you guess correctly, I’ll have to take the secret to my grave. I promise, though, you won’t have to dig very deep to find this author’s New York Times bestselling thrillers.

*Remember, send your guess to me at lofland32@msn.com. DO NOT post your answer in the comments section of this blog!  Doing so will automatically disqualify your entry.

The first correct answer receives the free Driving Simulator session at the 2013 WPA. The session is for the winner of this contest only, and is not transferable. There is no redeemable cash value.

We will announce the contest winner on Thursday 1-31-13.

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Goodbye Dear Friend

Goodbye Dear Friend

My former detective partner, and friend of nearly 45 years, passed away Sunday afternoon. He and I solved a lot of tough cases together, and side-by-side we fought the good fight, sometimes not knowing if we’d ever make it home again. And, believe me, we’d been in many tough spots in our day.

Not only were we police officers who shared a love of our job, we also enjoyed a friendship away from the bad guys, guns, and our gold badges. He was a singer and I a guitar player, and throughout the years we played in a couple of bands together.

I eventually gave up the days of hauling heavy equipment and playing cover tunes to people gyrating on sticky dance floors. He, however, was still performing until the last week of his life. He loved it. In fact, the last time I saw my friend, he gave me a copy of his band’s latest CD.

During his time as a police officer and investigator, my former partner had been shot twice and managed to survive both incidents. He’d also been stabbed once while making an arrest. He pulled through that time too. But his recent illness was far too much for his tired body to bear. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughters, and brothers and sister. In just a few short months he would have been a grandfather, but he didn’t make it to see the new addition to his beloved family.

You’ll be missed by many, my friend, especially by me.

I know heaven’s door has opened wide for you.

 

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The Name of the 2013 WPA Keynote Speaker Is…

Lisa Gardner 2012

 

The Writers’ Police Academy is extremely pleased to announce that superstar author Lisa Gardner is the 2013 keynote speaker! And she plans to spend the entire weekend playing cops and robbers with us.

Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling suspense novelist, began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. With 16 million copies of her books, 4 movies and one 2010 award for Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, she’s glad she did. Her latest novel, Touch & Go, involves kidnapping an entire family, and allowed Lisa to spend quality time in a maximum security prison. Fun!

Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her race-car driving husband, speed-skiing daughter, two extremely barky dogs, and one very silly puppy. When not writing, Lisa has been known to hike, box, garden, and even on occasion, read a book.

*The winner of the “name the keynote speaker contest” is Patricia Marie Warren. Congratulations, Patricia. Your prize is a free FATS session at the 2013 Writers’ Police Academy!

*     *     *

Now it’s time to begin contest #2, “Name The Special Guest Speaker.”

Here’s clue #1:

1. I’ve vowed to keep this name to myself, so, unless you guess correctly, I’ll have to take the secret to my grave. I promise, though, you won’t have to dig very deep to find this author’s New York Times bestselling thrillers.

*Remember, send your guess to me at lofland32@msn.com. DO NOT post your answer in the comments section of this blog!  Doing so will automatically disqualify your entry.

The first correct answer receives the free Driving Simulator session at the 2013 WPA. The session is for the winner of this contest only, and is not transferable. There is no redeemable cash value.

We will announce the contest winner on Thursday 1-31-13.

 

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Mt. St. Helens…And Clue #4

Mt. St. Helens

 

After a long week of playing cops and robbers, it’s finally time to take a day off from fighting crime. And, in celebration of The Graveyard Shift’s five-year anniversary, here’s the very first Weekend Road Trip.

Also, you’ll find clue #4 in WPA’s “Name The Keynote Speaker” contest at the bottom of the page. Good luck!

Please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

 

 

 

 

 

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We’ve received numerous responses to the “name the keynote speaker” contest. Please keep them coming.

For those of you who are joining us for the first time, here’s how the contest works.

To kick things off this year, we’re running a super-easy contest, and here’s how it goes. The first person to guess the name of the 2013 WPA keynote speaker wins a free FATS session (Firearms Simulator Training). I’ll post clues each day, starting today, until Monday when I’ll reveal the names of the winner and of the keynote speaker. You must, however, send your guess to me via email at lofland32@msn.com. Please DO NOT post the name on this website!! We want to give everyone a shot at this.

So here goes, and good luck!

The first three clues are:

Clue #1 – One of his/her books was made into a mid-90’s TV movie.

#2 – He/she sold his/her first book at the ripe old age of 20.

#3 – This superstar author used to work in the food service industry.

Today’s clue:

Clue #4 – The author writes one series where the protagonist resides in Massachusetts, in the same city where I used to live.

*Remember, send your guess to me at lofland32@msn.com. DO NOT post your answer in the comments section of this blog!  Doing so will automatically disqualify your entry.

The first correct answer receives the free FATS session at the 2013 WPA. The session is for the winner of this contest only, and is not transferable. There is no redeemable cash value.

Also, a second contest begins next Tuesday, with another great prize going to the winner!

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How to Keep Safe While Walking Home at Night

Keep safe walking home

If you’re forced to walk home at night, one of the best and most effective ways of ensuring that you reach your destination safely is to have a companion along for the journey. Assailants tend to strike single targets, rather than couples or small groups that can be more difficult for them to successfully subdue on their own. While men should certainly be cautious when they’re walking home at night, it’s especially important for women to understand the dangers of walking alone at night and to be aware of the best ways to reduce their chances of being the victim of violent crime.

Project Confidence

When you’re walking, make sure that you take a well-known and familiar route so you don’t look confused or lost, and that you project plenty of confidence along the way. Violent criminals target potential victims that appear vulnerable, and may choose not to engage with a woman who projects an air of strength and seems to know exactly where she’s going. If you’re so nervous about walking home that you don’t feel you’d be able to project that self-assurance, it may be smarter to opt for mass transit or even spring for a taxi, rather than anxiously making the trek back home.

Avoid Dark Areas

It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how easily some people can be tempted into taking a shortcut through an alley or walking across a dark parking lot to shorten their journey back home. Whether you’re alone or in a group, it’s best to restrict your route to well-lit areas, always try to stay under streetlights and never duck into a shadowy area simply because it will shorten your walk. Attackers want as much seclusion as they can get to lower their chances of being spotted by passersby. If you’re hidden in the shadows with someone who has dangerous intentions, you may not be able to safely attract the attention of anyone passing by.

Wear Sensible Shoes

No matter how excited you are to wear your brand new heels, you should avoid them if you know you’ll be walking home after dark. If you’re insistent upon wearing fashionable but less-than-sensible footwear for an evening out on the town, be sure that you stash a pair of ballet flats into your bag to wear as you walk home. Should you need to outrun a potential attacker, you’ll have far better chances escaping if you’re not wearing precariously high heels that increase your risk of falling, twisting an ankle or just being slowed down dramatically by your lack of balance.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When you’re projecting confidence on your way down the street, don’t be so confident that you pop in a pair of earbuds and ignore everything around you. A long walk might be more enjoyable if you’re able to listen to your favorite songs, but it will also make you less likely to hear someone approaching and can distract you enough that you don’t notice a threatening figure until it’s too late. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted so that you’re never unpleasantly surprised.

Keep Your Cell Phone Charged

Talking on your cell phone as you make your way home may seem like an effective way to discourage an attacker, but it can actually distract you enough that you don’t notice their approach. Taking advantage of someone is easier when they’re distracted, so make sure that you have your phone charged and readily available, but don’t spend your walk home chattering away. You should make sure that it’s within a moment’s reach, however, so that you can quickly dial for help if you spot something suspicious.

Carry a Deterrent

Non-violent deterrents like pepper spray or mace can buy you enough time to successfully evade a would-be attacker and seek help, and as such are great tools to keep on hand if you frequently walk home alone. Be sure before purchasing a canister of mace or pepper spray, however, that it’s compliant with all state and local laws. The maximum concentration legally allowable can vary from one state or city to another, so you’ll need to double check before heading out of the house with a deterrent that it isn’t illegal in your area.

Today’s article courtesy of liveoutnanny.com

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Well, it’s that time of the year again, when we begin the countdown to the start of the Writers’ Police Academy. As usual, we’ve outdone ourselves by planning the largest, most exciting WPA ever. I didn’t think that was possible, but we did it.

As they say, we have all our ducks in a row. Speakers and instructors are lined up. The updated WPA website is well underway and should be available for all to see within a couple of weeks. Registration, if all goes as planned, should open in mid-February. And best of all, Sisters in Crime is once again paying well over half of the cost of their members’ registration fees. Not a member? No, problem. Simply join SinC and you’ll instantly receive their generous discounted WPA registration.

*Due to the popularity of the WPA, space for the 2013 event is extremely limited. So please watch for the opening of registration. This one is not to be missed!

To kick things off this year, we’re running a super-easy contest, and here’s how it goes. The first person to guess the name of the 2013 WPA keynote speaker wins a free FATS session (Firearms Simulator Training). I’ll post clues each day, starting today, until Monday when I’ll reveal the names of the winner and of the keynote speaker. You must, however, send your guess to me via email at lofland32@msn.com. Please DO NOT post the name on this website!! We want to give everyone a shot at this.

So here goes, and good luck!

The first three clues are:

Clue #1 – One of his/her books was made into a mid-90’s TV movie.

#2 – He/she sold his/her first book at the ripe old age of 20.

#3 – This superstar author used to work in the food service industry.

*Remember, send your guess to me at lofland32@msn.com. DO NOT post your answer in the comments section of this blog!  Doing so will automatically disqualify your entry.

The first correct answer receives the free FATS session at the 2013 WPA. The session is for the winner of this contest only, and is not transferable. There is no redeemable cash value.

/by

How Many Gun Deaths Since Sandy Hook?

Gun deaths since Sandy Hook

I don’t know how many of you follow the “crime” headlines in your towns, cities, and counties, but it’s something I watch closely. I suppose my obsession with real-life cops and robbers is deep-rooted due to my background and the fact that I, like other unfortunate officers, have been in situations where it was shoot back or be killed. However, the whole gun control/no, or limited gun control issue has greatly enhanced my interest in situations involving death by gunfire, especially here in coastal Georgia.

Slate Magazine, an online publication I’ve contributed to/consulted for in the past, is keeping a running total of gunfire deaths in the United States. As of yesterday, Slate reported 1173 people killed by gunfire since the Sandy Hook school shooting. Unfortunately, this enormous total of senseless killings is not all-inclusive. These are only the deaths they were able to record through various searches and other research methods. And, their graph of stick figures doesn’t include names or faces, such as the pretty young Savannah, Ga. college student, Rebecca Foley, who was gunned down Monday night in the parking lot of her apartment building on White Bluff Road.

Rebecca Foley – Facebook photo

Rebecca Foley was killed when a bullet traveling at a speed of approximately 1,500 feet per second (nearly 700 miles per hour, or so) penetrated the rear window of her car, shattering the glass, and then struck her body, fatally wounding her. And just like that, someone’s precious daughter was dead. Her body was later found lying in a wooded area 100 feet from her beloved red Volkswagen Beetle. Police have no suspects and no motive. This was Monday night in Savannah.

On Tuesday, in the Windsor Forest community, less than a mile from where Rebecca Foley was murdered, 17-year-old Evan Colquitt was shot multiple times, mostly in the chest. He died on a gurney at Memorial Hospital. Another death not included in the Slate tally. Another set of parents who won’t be able to see their child graduate, or grow into an adult.

Last night saw more gunfire. And, again the shots rang out less then a mile from Rebecca Foley’s apartment building—this time in the Turtle Creek apartments just off White Bluff Road. The victim had been arguing with a man and had turned to go inside his home, closing the door behind him. The suspect fired through the door, striking the victim in the upper torso. Police are still searching for the shooter.

Of course, I should mention the fight between two women in Forsythe Park. The altercation started with hair pulling and ended with one of the women pulling a gun and firing. Luckily, she didn’t hit her target.

Oh, and let’s not forget the shooting on 39th Street, or the 8 people shot at the local fair. The latter was a gang-related shooting that occurred in the midst of innocent men, women, and children who were enjoying a fun-filled night of rides and cotton candy. Sadly, some of the innocent were wounded by stray bullets.

Then there was the shooting that happened at the Fred Wessel Housing Complex. Luckily, the victim survived.

Needless to say, city residents are scared. And, normally, they’d merely avoid “trouble spots,” however, the latest shootings occurred in the better, “crime-free” neighborhoods. As a result, a meeting between city officials and the local police has been scheduled for this week to discuss the latest wave of shootings.

The good news to come from all this murder and mayhem is that Savannah police chief Willie Lovett’s latest crime report indicates that violent crime is substantially down from past years.

*By the way, the Savannah Police Department is under currently fire regarding several allegations of “numbers fudging” on their crime reports to make the stats seem better. One of the people to come forward is a former Savannah police officer who says he actually witnessed the cover up on several occasions. Altering police crime reports is a felony. The case may soon be turned over to federal authorities for further investigation.

Anyway, y’all pack a bag and come on down. It’s a great place to visit! (P.S. – you might want to wear body armor under your Hawaiian shirts).

How are things in your neck of the woods?

It’s delightful here…

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Castle: Death Gone Crazy – A Good Cop/Bad Cop Review

Castle: Death gone Crazy

 

For me, this episode of Castle backpedaled to days of the “fill-in-the-blanks-on-the-boilerplate-script.” There wasn’t even a hint of a relationship between Castle and Beckett. They are an item, right? Well, you certainly couldn’t tell by watching this episode. And, the case went through the predictable motions of tossing in a few red herrings before heading back to the real killer, someone who had the least amount of screen time. As usual, we had him pegged early in the episode.

By the way, it was nice to see Kelly Hu introduce a tough-as-rusty-nails female bodyguard character.

Kelly Hu/bodyguard Scarlett Jones

And that Esposito thought she was hot—even more so because she broke a guy’s nose—was a cool way to add more depth to his character.

But, enough of my ramblings. Let’s see what Melanie thought of this semi-yawner.

Melanie Atkins

This episode, like Under the Influence last week, was case-based, without any fun Kate-Rick relationship moments. To me, it seemed like more of a “filler” show, one that didn’t really mean anything, to get us through to February sweeps. I enjoyed it, as that type of show goes, but certainly won’t list it as one of my favorites. I prefer the ones that concentrate on the Caskett relationship.

We were, however, treated to some nice Rick-Alexis moments. I would have liked them more if they’d added Kate to the mix, because she and Rick are dating now. I mean, really! They pretty much ignored the progress made during the Christmas episode. I didn’t like that at all.

Kate and Rick did work well together, and yet their interactions came off as more like they were before the two of them got together. To be honest, I got a lot more enjoyment out of the Ryan-Esposito moments tonight than I did the Kate-Rick dynamic. Again, I say, “filler” show. One the producers could plug in anywhere and know it would fit. Can you say “boring”?

I look forward to February sweeps, because maybe then the show will get back on track as far as the Rick-Kate relationship goes. From what I’ve heard, we’re in for some drama and then some fun Valentine’s Day moments. Bring it on!

Lee Lofland

Where do I start? Perhaps a brief warning to Alexis about the very real dangers of posting personal information on blogs, Facebook, and/or video blogs/vlogs? Or, should I begin with Lanie’s semi-return to voodoo forensics?

First, let’s do make a brief mention about posting things online, such as where you’re going, what you’ll be wearing, who you’ll be with, or that you’re home alone and will be alone all weekend because your parents/spouse, guard dog, etc. are all away for a few days.

Remember, it’s fairly easy to track someone to their location by using the data that’s automatically embedded in photos and videos (EXIF – Exchangeable Image File Format). EXIF files contain information such as camera type, cell phone model, camera serial number, and, most importantly, if the geotagging feature of the phone is turned on, the location of the device (precise latitude and longitude) is instantly available. What does all of this gobbledygook mean? Simple…it provides the exact location where the video/photo was taken…YOUR HOUSE!

Now for Lanie.

Cause of death was strangulation. Bruises on the neck were made by the clasp on a bra found nearby. Really? You were able to make those positive determinations in the field? Really? No autopsy to detect the possibility of gunshot wounds, stab wounds, heart attack, stroke, liver or kidney failure, poisoning, head injury from falling to the floor while playing the hanging/choking game with a bra, and, well, you get the idea. Why, Lanie? Why do this when you were on such a good and solid path? And why are you, Lanie, conducting tests on evidence? With unemployment reaching such high numbers, you’d think it would be nice to allow the people in the labs to do their jobs. But, I guess cross-training M.E.’s and coroners to do it all is a good way for municipalities to save taxpayer money. Besides, I’m sure the M’E.’s in NYC have plenty of spare time to run a few lab tests…Yeah, right.

– I believe it was Ryan who said he’d called the hospital and learned that one of the red herrings had been treated for a broken nose and ribs. Hospitals/doctors, etc. are not allowed to freely provide that sort of information. Only with the proper paperwork, folks. You know, like a court order.

– Beckett and Castle arrive at a shady-looking warehouse hoping to locate the broken-nose guy. Beckett parked across the street, down from the doorway, and got out of her car with her gun already in her hand. I’m not sure she intended for the viewing audience (us) to see that, but we did. Why do that? If the situation were that dangerous why not bring along some backup instead of chatty-Castle who never shut up from the time he stepped from the car. No sneaking up on anyone in this scene. And she went in, gun first. Again, if she thought it was that dangerous she should have brought along the dynamic duo or a couple of patrol officers.

– As always, always, always, we watched the crew interview a few red herrings before taking us back to the beginning where we saw, for a few seconds, the real killer who is, always introduced early, extremely friendly and helpful, and has no other part in the show. Each week I hope for something different, but noooooo…

Anyway, Alexis…stop offering personal information online. And, Lanie, I’ve been bragging about you, lately. Please don’t take any more steps backward. Fight the urges to pull out the voodoo dolls and crystal ball. Be strong. You can do it!

Finally, the best line of the night goes to Esposito.

“She broke a guy’s nose. You know she’s gotta be freaky.”

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Happy 5th Anniversary Graveyard Shift…And A Post About Handcuffs

Happy 5th Anniversary

Next week marks the fifth year The Graveyard Shift has been online. We’ve been through a lot together, you and I—from murder, B&E’s, and cordite, to weddings, funerals, and two U.S presidents. We’ve seen happy days, and we’ve experienced some that were, well, downright tear-jerkers. But, as a team (there are thousands of you, by the way), we’ve prevailed to begin the next five years. To celebrate, we”ll feature some of my earlier blog posts, starting with the writer’s question that set this blog in motion.

At some point between now and next Monday, the actual 5th year mark, there’ll be a fun contest where the winner will receive a free ticket for FATS training at the 2013 Writers’ Police Academy. Monday is also the day when I’ll announce the names of the 2013 WPA keynote and special guest speakers. By the way, the 2013 WPA is the largest and best we’ve ever produced.

So, I thank you all for stopping by throughout the years. I hope you’ve enjoyed The Graveyard Shift, and that you’ve found at least one article that has helped with your writing. Also, I’d like to send a special thanks to all the guest bloggers who’ve contributed to the site over the years. And, as always, I appreciate those who took the time to post comments and questions. After all, without comments I sometimes feel as if I’m at the microphone speaking to an empty room.

Oh, and here’s an extra special thank you to everyone who’s supported me by purchasing a copy of my book on police procedure. I simply cannot thank you enough.

Anyway, here’s my very first blog post.

*Remember, I never edit or proofread. What you see is always a first draft. The mistakes, well, they’re part of the fun. Perhaps one day I’ll post a “blooper” edition.

January 2008 -Blog Post #1

Handcuffs

handcuffs.jpg

Each day I receive many interesting questions and comments about police procedure, CSI, and forensics. So I thought it would be fun to share my answers and experience on a Q&A blog. I welcome your questions and comments. Here’s a question I received yesterday.

Question: Do all cops use the same type of handcuffs?

Answer – The two main types of handcuffs used by law enforcement are pictured above. The top image is of a pair of chain-linked handcuffs. Most police officers prefer to carry and use chain-linked cuffs because the chain between the bracelets swivels, making the cuffs flexible and easier to apply to the wrists of combative suspects.

The lower image is of a pair of hinged cuffs. These are more commonly used when transporting prison or jail inmates. Hinged cuffs are not flexible (the hinge between the two bracelets does not swivel) which greatly reduces wrist and hand movement. This type cuff is somewhat difficult to apply to the wrists during a scuffle.

Both style cuffs operate using a ratchet and pawl locking system. Both are equipped with a second lock (double-locking) to prevent any further tightening of the ratchet which can injure the wrists of the cuffed suspect. The second lock also prevents prisoners from picking the lock.

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Boston: I Love That Dirty Water

Boston: Love that dirty water

 

Our Weekend Road Trip this week takes us to one of my former backyards, Boston. One of the best ways to show you this wonderful old city is to pahk our cah and catch a ride on one of the many duck boats. These crafts are able to maneuver on land and sea which makes the tour quite interesting.

The Duck Tour starts at the Science Museum and winds through downtown, passing places such as, Boston Commons, Copley Square and Newbury Street, Boston’s answer to Rodeo Drive.

The ride is a journey through U.S. history. Boston is an old city that’s mixed with plenty of new ideas, such as the Big Dig Project, a massive highway tunnel beneath the entire city.

With a full view of the largest cable suspension bridge directly in front of you, the duck boat driver takes a right turn and drives directly into the Charles River for the last segment of the tour, a thirty minute glimpse of Boston’s waterfront.

So, leave all your troubles and woes in the yahd. In fact, fuhgedaboudit. Have a little fun. See you Monday.

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Boston is a mix of old and new

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Duck Boat

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View of Boston and Cambridge skylines from the Duck Boat. The lights from Fenway park were at our back when this shot was taken. This was a time when the Red Sox were midway through the playoffs and you could smell World Series in the air. At least that’s what the natives were saying. What I smelled was that “dirty water” the Standells crooned about in their song about Boston and its once very polluted river. A large clean up effort paid off and the river is fine, now.

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Boston skyline.

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Oh, here’s the skipper of the duck boat, Captain “Duck” Tape

 

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