A blog about police procedure and investigation, forensics, and the craft of writing

by

Renowned Expert Lee Lofland

12

Plainclothes Officer Survival Tips: How To Stay Alive Without Really Trying

Police officers are trained to protect lives and property. They're skilled drivers, shooters, and fighters. They know how to arrest, how to testify in court, and how to collect evidence. They're calm and cool when facing danger, and they're…
,

6 “No Bull” Facts About Cops

Writers, you conduct an incredible amount of research about cops, forensics, and more, and your readers deeply appreciate your efforts. Therefore, to assist with your hard work, here are six tidbits to add to your gatherings of vital information. 1.…
,

Sir Alec Jeffreys and the DNA Testing of Over 5,500 Men, All to Catch a Single Killer

As the result of a DNA experiment on September 10, 1984, Alec Jeffreys discovered the technique of genetic fingerprinting. At the time, Jeffreys worked as a researcher and professor of genetics at the University of Leicester. At 9.05…
Police Procedure & Investigation: A Guide for Writers

Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers.

As part of the latest Writers Digest Books Howdunit series, Police Procedure and Investigation is an authoritative guide that provides insight into a cop’s world; the terminology used by police officers; an in-depth look at the tools of the trade; squad house hierarchy; legal terms; courtroom terminology; jail, gang, and convict slang; street talk; drug crime information; con air procedures; information on autopsies and death penalty executions; cadet training procedures; fingerprinting details; a breakdown of murder and manslaughter charges; and tons of other useful information; all the things that explain why and how cops do what they do. A retired police detective, Lofland gives the lowdown on how everyday folks, as well as writers and journalists, misunderstand or incorrectly portray how the police work. Find out what mistakes you’re likely to make in your work. This book is the next best thing to having a police detective personally assigned to the reader.

With a career in law enforcement that spanned nearly two decades, author Lee Lofland is a nationally acclaimed expert on police procedures and crime scene investigations who consults regularly with best-selling authors and television producers. Now you can benefit from his years of experience with Police Procedure & Investigation.

BUY THE BOOK

Strengthen Your Writing Muscles

Learn in-depth details about crime, crime scene and police procedures, and the tools used in real life investigations to help you develop realistic scenes and believable characters.


Read the Blog


Contact Lee Lofland

Writers’ Police Academy Online Courses

Learn insider details from top law enforcement investigators, forensics experts, crime scene investigators, medical examiners, EMS, firefighters, K-9 handlers, bestselling authors, editors, agents, and other writing professionals.


Writers’ Police Academy Online

Learn About Lee Lofland.

Lee Lofland is a veteran police investigator who began his law-enforcement career working as an officer in Virginia’s prison system. He later became a sheriff’s deputy, a patrol officer, and finally, he achieved the highly-prized gold shield of detective. Along the way, he gained a breadth of experience that’s unusual to find in the career of a single officer.


Read More

THE CRIME SCENE

It’s time to register for the 2024 Writers’ Police Academy’s special event, KIller Con!

The 16th annual Writers’ Police Academy returns in 2024 with an exciting all-new event, Killer Con.

Hosted by Writers’ Police Academy, Killer Con is a unique hands-on Homicide and Crime Scene Investigator Training Academy for writers.
This special event is designed to assist writers with:
– Character development.
– Insider, behind-the-scenes details about investigators and the tools, equipment, tactics, and techniques they use to solve cases.
– Experiencing true-to-life training that’s needed to add stunning realism to any story.
– Writing scenes from the point of view of someone who’s “been there, done that.”
– Providing elaborate specifics to help immerse your readers into the worlds you’ve created.
Killer Con classes and workshops are taught by leading forensic and law enforcement experts and DOJ-certified instructors.

June 6-9, 2024

FOUR DAYS of PRO-LEVEL TRAINING
HANDS-ON TRAINING
GUEST of HONOR
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS
2024 SHORT STORY CONTEST