Desert Sleuths seminar
I recently attend the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters In Crime one day seminar. What a fantastic, crime solving way to spend a day!
The session started with a lecture by a veteran police detective who had thirty years on the force. He provided a wealth of real-world information about what happens in a crime scene investigation. And if that was enough he gave us a crime scene to analyze and was available after his session for additional questions.
The first presenter was followed by a private investigator and then by an attorney who represents death penalty cases.
A few interesting tidbits I'm passing along - keeping in mind that this is based on Arizona laws and procedures:
1. Investigating a homicide at the scene can take anywhere from several hours on a small scene to up to thirty six hours depending on how much evidence there is.
2. Once the detectives have finished their work at the scene it is released. Crime scene tape isn't left in place after the investigation is done like you see in the movies. Police have to get a new warrant if they need to return to the scene once they leave.
3. DNA and fingerprints are still the best evidence. For a high priority case DNA results usually come back in three weeks.
Writers may vary somewhat from the procedures used by the police but this is generally done for the benefit of the reader. In a cozy mystery, since the murder happens "off the page" the details of the crime scene are often left out. In a non-cozy mystery/thriller the writer may describe the scene in graphic detail.
If you are able to connect with someone on the police force you will have an invaluable source to keep your writing accurate and interesting. Remember unless you are writing fantasy your reader will pick out the flaws easily.
Great writing,
Leslie
The session started with a lecture by a veteran police detective who had thirty years on the force. He provided a wealth of real-world information about what happens in a crime scene investigation. And if that was enough he gave us a crime scene to analyze and was available after his session for additional questions.
The first presenter was followed by a private investigator and then by an attorney who represents death penalty cases.
A few interesting tidbits I'm passing along - keeping in mind that this is based on Arizona laws and procedures:
1. Investigating a homicide at the scene can take anywhere from several hours on a small scene to up to thirty six hours depending on how much evidence there is.
2. Once the detectives have finished their work at the scene it is released. Crime scene tape isn't left in place after the investigation is done like you see in the movies. Police have to get a new warrant if they need to return to the scene once they leave.
3. DNA and fingerprints are still the best evidence. For a high priority case DNA results usually come back in three weeks.
Writers may vary somewhat from the procedures used by the police but this is generally done for the benefit of the reader. In a cozy mystery, since the murder happens "off the page" the details of the crime scene are often left out. In a non-cozy mystery/thriller the writer may describe the scene in graphic detail.
If you are able to connect with someone on the police force you will have an invaluable source to keep your writing accurate and interesting. Remember unless you are writing fantasy your reader will pick out the flaws easily.
Great writing,
Leslie
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