The Graveyard Shift Blog

Since 2008, Lee Lofland has written over 2000 articles on his blog, The Graveyard Shift. Topics such as police procedure, forensics, criminal behavior, and what it’s like to be a cop has helped countless numbers of popular and aspiring writers.

His life’s mission – to remind writers that cordite is dead and gone. Just say no to cordite in your books!

Would you believe?

Would You Believe…?

  I, as do most police officers, began my career as a uniformed patrol officer doling out traffic citations to speeders, reckless drivers, and red-light-runners. This assignment was not one of my favorites (I preferred the Sherlock Holmes…

Stop In The Name Of…Walmart?

  Yesterday's blog topic prompted a question regarding the arrest powers of private citizens. Here's a follow up to my answer. Stop In The Name Of...Walmart? Since I'm a former police detective turned writer I spend a great deal…
Lt. Josh Moulin

Lt. Josh Moulin: How Computers Are Used in Missing Persons Cases

  Lieutenant Josh Moulin supervises the Central Point Police Department’s Technical Services Bureau and is the Commander of the Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force. He is one of approximately 470 Certified Forensic Computer…
Ocean City Maryland 2

Weekend Road Trip: Sunset in Ocean City, Maryland

  Soon after I said my goodbyes at Bouchercon Denene and I were standing on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, where we enjoyed a couple of days of peace and quiet before returning to Boston. The deserted dunes, crashing waves, and screeching…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Remembering the Fallen

  Deputy Sheriff David Gilstrap Oconee County Georgia Sheriffs Office   Deputy Gilstrap was killed on October 9, 2008, when he was struck and killed by a car while he was directing traffic at the entrance to a school. He…
It's Time For A 200 Word Short Story Contest

200 Word Story Contest

The Graveyard Shift is pleased to announce our first 200 word short story contest. The rules are simple. Write a story about the photograph above using no more than 200 words, including the title. All stories must be polished and complete, meaning…

Mobile Labs

  Evidence is often destroyed, contaminated, or even lost during transport from the crime scene to police department laboratories. Mobile labs eliminate those problems by providing on the spot reception of all evidence recovered at the…
Bouchercon: The Final Bows

Bouchercon: The Final Bows

  Denene and I are still making our way back to Boston, wandering the countryside along the way. I promise I'll get back to the business of cops and robbers tomorrow. In the meantime, more Bouchercon. RJ (Bobby) Mangahas. Bobby…

Bouchercon 2008: A Real Friendfest

  We'll return to our regular format soon. Until then I'd like to introduce you to more of my friends. We all had a wonderful time catching up on old times. This is one Bouchercon I truly hated to see end. Alexandra Sokoloff Publisher…
Writers' Police Academy

Weekend Road Trip: Bouchercon

  I dedicate a lot of my time to traveling the countryside attending writers conferences, workshops, and other events. I love them all. I enjoy the intimate retreats, the hulking expos, and everything in between. However, while most…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Remembering the Fallen

  Correctional Officer Rodney Kelley, 36 Alabama Department of Corrections   Officer Kelley was killed in an automobile accident on October 4, 2008, when his prison van was struck head on by a tractor trailer. The officer…

Writers Police Academy Registration Now Open!

  The workshops are set, the instructors are ready, and registration is now open for the 2009 Mad Anthony Writers Conference and Writers Police Academy. A must for mystery writers! Sign up early because space is limited. For details…

Erika Mailman: How To Interrogate a Witch

How to Interrogate a Witch The Graveyard Shift is an incredible resource for crime writers. Many thanks to Lee for letting me guest blog today. My name's Erika Mailman and I'm warping the concept of the blog a tad... I'm not displaying…
Sue Ann Jaffarian

Sue Ann Jaffarian – Don’t Damn the Day Job

What do you get when you cross a cranky, post-menopausal paralegal with enough lawyers to fill the Rose Bowl? Answer: A license to kill. At least on paper. I have been working in the legal field for 35 years. Count ‘em - 35. Currently,…
Robin Burcell

Robin Burcell: My Day Off – Barbecue, Beer, and Kidnapping

  Robin Burcell has worked in law enforcement for over two decades as a police officer, detective, FBI-trained forensic artist and hostage negotiator. She is the author of the Anthony Award winning SFPD Homicide Inspector Kate Gillespie…
Pacific Northwest

Weekend Road Trip: Pacific Northwest

  Our Weekend Road Trip this week takes us on a hike in the Pacific Northwest. A little over an hour drive north of Seattle lands you in some pretty nice scenery. Actually, anywhere in that area is spectacular. The countryside is simply…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

  Detective Tommy Keen, 59 Harris County Texas Sheriffs Department   Detective Keen died on September 15, 2008, from accidental injuries he received while assisting with the cleanup efforts following Hurricane Ike. Detective…

Cool Cop Stuff

  This amazing Patrol Cam has built in night vision, a video recorder, and an LCD display. It's systems are completely rechargeable. And, believe it or not, it can also be used as a flashlight. Cost - Just under $700.00.     See-Through…