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!

DUI-DWI

DUI/DWI: How Cops Spot Drunk Drivers

  The driver who turns up a fifth of Jack Black while singing Sweet Home Alabama at the top of his little redneck lungs is obviously driving while under the influence of alcohol. But what about the driver who chugs only three or four…
Yvonne Mason

Bounty Hunter/Author Yvonne Mason: Bringing ‘Em In Dead Or Alive

Yvonne Mason is the eldest of five children, Yvonne was born May 17, 1951 in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in East Point, Georgia, she moved to Jackson County, Ga. until 2006 then moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida where she currently makes her home. Yvonne…
Maui

Weekend Road Trip: Maui and Molokai

  Once again, author Terry Odell has been kind enough to allow us to tag along with her on one of her exciting trips. This week she takes us to Maui and Molokai. Enjoy the view. * Monday blog will
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Remembering Those Who Served

  Deputy Shane Tate Grundy County Tennessee Sheriffs Office Deputy Tate, a three year veteran, was shot and killed on June 5, 2008 as he and a reserve officer were attempting to serve a probation warrant. The suspect wounded the…
Guns with Lori Lake

Lividity and Rigor Mortis: Determining The Time Of Death

Determining The Time of Death When the heart stops beating, gravity pulls blood to the lowest point in the body. Blood pooling in those low areas stain the surrounding tissue giving the appearance of bruising. This staining of tissue is called…
Lori L. Lake

Lori L. Lake: Outfitting Your Crooks – And Yourself

  Lori L. Lake is the author of Snow Moon Rising, a novel of survival set during World War II, which received a 2007 Golden Crown Literary Award as well as the 2007 Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. She is the creator of the “Gun”…
Steven D. Rogers

Stephen D. Rogers: The Outsider On The Inside

Stephen D. Rogers is a published writer of fantasy, horror, literary, mystery, personal essays, romance, and science fiction. A participant in the Fairfield University Writer's Institute of 1989, the Bread Loaf conference of 1994, and Robert…
Mindless Super Hero

Weekend Road Trip

I'm currently on an actual road trip to the Midwest conducting research for a new book. I hope to back in the office Saturday afternoon and, if all goes as planned, I'll post the real Weekend Road Trip photos at that time. Enjoy your we…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Killed In The Line Of Duty

Seargent Leslie (Les) Wilmont - Kiefer, Oklahoma Police Department Sergeant Wilmont, a 30 year veteran and former police chief, was killed when his patrol car struck a tractor trailer. Deputy Sheriff Michael Sean Thomas - Bibb County,…
Sheila Lowe

Sheila Lowe: Can Handwriting Reveal a Serial Killer?

  Sheila Lowe is a forensic handwriting expert with more forty years of experience in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and is the author of several published books including Handwriting of the Famous…
T. Lynn Ocean

Author T. Lynn Ocean: Stopping Power

  Unsure of what she wanted to be after college, T. Lynn explored various careers including commercial tread rubber sales and retail management. For one summer, her job was to scare people at a haunted house, but that was a long time…
Lori L. Lake

Lori L. Lake: Part 2 – Guns, Guns, Guns: Outfitting Your Sleuth(s)

  Lori L. Lake is the author of Snow Moon Rising, a novel of survival set during World War II, which received a 2007 Golden Crown Literary Award as well as the 2007 Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. She is the creator of the “Gun”…
Memorial Day

Memorial Day

  "We’ll never forget you gave your all That others can be free You paid the ultimate earthly price Immortal you will ever be." Susan Helene Kramer *Tomorrow - Part 2 of Guns, Guns, Guns with Lori L. Lake
Twin Falls WA

Weekend Road Trip: Twin Falls, Washington

  The hike up to the twin falls is a journey into another dimension. Towering evergreens and thick brush surround the entrance to the trail. Civilization is soon a million miles away. No cars, no ringing cell phones. The only sound is…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: Above and Beyond The Call of Duty

5-21-08 Joliet, Illinois Police Officer Richard Trafton received his department's highest award this week, the prestigious Murrin Medal, as well as other Heroism and Lifesaving Awards. Officer Trafton saved the life of fellow police…
Courtroom security

Court Security Officers

  The responsibility of protecting county courtrooms, judges, jury members, court employees, witnesses, and all citizens who attend court hearings and trials, falls on the shoulders of the county sheriff. The sheriff is also responsible…
Surveillance van

Surveillance Vans

  Have you ever wondered how detectives capture those really cool, real-time, incriminating photos, videos, and audio recordings of criminals? It seems as if the cops are mere inches away when the bad guys are committing their crimes.…
Guns with Lori Lake

Author Lori L. Lake: Guns, Guns, Guns

  Lori L. Lake is the author of Snow Moon Rising, a novel of survival set during World War II, which received a 2007 Golden Crown Literary Award as well as the 2007 Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. She is the creator of the “Gun”…